Extracting Monomers Crude oil extracted from the ground

is complex and full of a variety of hydrocarbon structure.

Crude oil refineries sort the different hydrocarbons by size, structure, and weight.

Large hydrocarbons can be broken down into more useful “pieces.”

Examples of HCs in Crude Oil

All of these are hydrocarbons, bonded together in various structures.

Which of these can you name?

How important is oil to our economy?

Top 10 Companies worldwide:Exxon MobilWal-Mart StoresRoyal Dutch ShellBPGeneral MotorsChevronDaimlerChryslerToyota MotorFord MotorConocoPhillips

How many are oil companies? What do the others sell?

What’s in our gas prices?

What are “polymers”?

A polymer is a large molecule that is created when monomers are joined together. A

monomer is a single unit that is used to build a polymer. Polymers may be naturally

occurring or man-made (synthetic).

Polymerization

Straight Chained Polymer

(made up of one type of monomer)

Spaghetti-like structure of straight chain polymers. Coils lead to entanglement (stiffness).

Branched Chain Polymer

Branching reduces the density and increases the flexibility of a polymer.

Branching creates more flexibility; less rigid plastic

Low density polyethylene has more branches, so it cannot be packed as closely as in linear, high density polyethylene.

Cross Linked Polymers

Cross-linking increases stiffness and strength of a polymer.

Vulcanizing Rubber to make it more flexible, tougher and temperature resistant and involves adding Sulfur atoms to create

cross-links.

Properties of Polymers Properties are determined by the

structure of the molecules and depend on:-type of monomers used-chain length-branching-degree of cross-linking

Branching and Cross-links affect strength

DIRECTION OF INCREASING STRENGTH

Polymer Structure

Branched, Cross-linked or Linear?

Natural and Synthetic Polymers

Some Natural Polymers in Food… Gelatin in gummi worms and gummi

bears are made from natural polymers!

Bubble gum contains styrene butadiene rubber!

Carbohydrates (starches) and proteins are examples of natural polymers!

natural polymers

Polymers are everywhere!!!

Polymers at the movies…. Nylon carpet, polyester and acrylic seats, polyester curtains, nylon screen, polyester film strip, waxy polyethylene popcorn tub, starch in popcorn, polystyrene cups, plastic M&M bag, protein in hotdogs, gelatin in gummy bears, paraffin in Junior Mints, sticky stuff on the floor made of soda, butter, Skittles, Milk Duds and more…