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 shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. 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.
➕ 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.
n (C=C) → [-C-C-]ₙ
n monomers join together to make 1 polymer with n repeating units
n H₂C=CH₂ → [-CH₂-CH₂-]ₙ
Thousands of ethene molecules join — the C=C opens, monomers link in a chain
Practice questions for Polymers
What type of monomers are needed for addition polymerisation?
Explain how addition polymerisation works. Include the role of the double bond.