This deep dive covers Addition Polymerisation within Polymers for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Polymers in Organic Chemistry for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 14 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 4 of 15 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 4 of 15
Practice
20 questions
Recall
14 flashcards
➕ Addition Polymerisation
How It Works
Addition polymerisation happens when alkenes (molecules with C=C double bonds) join together. The double bond opens up, and the monomers link together to form long chains. No other products are formed — just the polymer.
General Equation:
n (C=C) → [-C-C-]ₙ
n monomers join together to make 1 polymer with n repeating units
n (C=C) → [-C-C-]ₙ
n monomers join together to make 1 polymer with n repeating units
Ethene to Poly(ethene) Example:
n H₂C=CH₂ → [-CH₂-CH₂-]ₙ
Thousands of ethene molecules join — the C=C opens, monomers link in a chain
n H₂C=CH₂ → [-CH₂-CH₂-]ₙ
Thousands of ethene molecules join — the C=C opens, monomers link in a chain