What is the monomer for polythene?

Prepare for the IGCSE Organic Chemistry Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations to ensure you understand the core concepts. Get ready for your test with confidence!

Multiple Choice

What is the monomer for polythene?

Explanation:
Polythene is made by addition polymerization, where many alkene molecules join together as the double bonds open to form a long chain. The repeating unit in polythene comes from ethene (C2H4); when its double bond opens, the units join to give a chain with repeating -CH2-CH2- segments. So the monomer is ethene. Other options would lead to different polymers (propene gives polypropylene with a side methyl group, butene gives polybutene, and methane isn’t an alkene and can’t form this polymer).

Polythene is made by addition polymerization, where many alkene molecules join together as the double bonds open to form a long chain. The repeating unit in polythene comes from ethene (C2H4); when its double bond opens, the units join to give a chain with repeating -CH2-CH2- segments. So the monomer is ethene. Other options would lead to different polymers (propene gives polypropylene with a side methyl group, butene gives polybutene, and methane isn’t an alkene and can’t form this polymer).

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