Question

For each of the following pairs of polymers, do the following: (1) state whether or not it is possible to decide if one polymer has a higher tensile strength than the other; (2) if this is possible, not which has the higher tensile strength and the cite the reason(s) for your choice; and (3) if it is not possible to decide, state why.

a. Syndiotactic polystyrene with Mn=600,000 g/mol; isotactic polystyrene with Mn=500,000 g/mol.

b. Linear and isotactic polyvinyl chloride with Mn=100,000 g/mol; branched and atactic polyvinyl chloride with Mn=75,000 g/mol.

c. Syndiotactic polymethylmethacrylate of similar molecular weight as; atactic polypropylene.

Answer 1

yes tensile strength can be predicted

A) Syndiotactic polystyrene has more tensile strength because of its arrangement of monomer chains which results in greater intermolecularforces acting with in molecule and as well more molarmass indicates that it has more monomer units so strength will be more

B) linear PVC because of its symmetry has high tensilestrength

C) Syndiotactic poly methyl methacrylate with its intermolecular attractive forces between the monomeric units hence high tensile strength