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🧪 Chemistry  ·  Polymers  ·  NEET & JEE

What is the degree of polymerisation?

Answer: Number of monomer units in a polymer chain.

  • A Number of monomer units in a polymer chain
  • B Molecular weight of the polymer in general practice
  • C Temperature of polymerisation as frequently described
  • D Rate of polymerisation in most textbook accounts

Correct answer: A. Number of monomer units in a polymer chain

Explanation: The degree of polymerisation (n) is the number of repeating monomer units in one polymer chain.

Addition vs Condensation PolymerisationAddition (e.g. polythene)n (CH₂=CH₂)-[-CH₂-CH₂-]ₙ-No atoms lost - monomers just join at the double bondCondensation (e.g. Nylon-6,6)HOOC-R-COOH + H₂N-R'-NH₂-[-CO-R-CO-NH-R'-NH-]ₙ-+ n H₂OA small molecule (water here) is eliminated at EVERY linking step

Addition polymerisation simply links monomers containing a double bond with nothing left over, while condensation polymerisation joins two different monomers through a reaction (often forming an ester or amide bond) that releases a small molecule like water at each step.

Concept context

Large molecules made of repeating monomer units. Covers addition and condensation polymerisation, natural and synthetic polymers (nylon, PVC, Bakelite, natural rubber), and their real-world industrial applications.

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