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Polymers and intermolecular bonds
GlossaryA
The simplest unit which defines a particular element. Atoms are made up of protons, an equal number of electrons, and neutrons. Different atoms differ in their number of protons and electrons.
B
D
The mass per unit volume of a substance.
Charge separation across a bond or across a molecule in general.
E
Sub-atomic particle(s). Has a negative charge, equal in magnitude to the positive charge on a proton.
The power of an atom to attract electrons to itself.
A substance containing only one type of atom.
F
G
H
A relatively strong intermolecular attraction. A very delta positive hydrogen atom in one molecule interacts with a lone pair of electrons on an electronegative atom in a neighbouring molecule.
A relatively strong intermolecular attraction. A very delta positive hydrogen atom in one molecule interacts with a lone pair of electrons on an electronegative atom in a neighbouring molecule.
I
The weakest type of intermolecular force. Random movement of electrons in one molecule creates an instantaneous dipole. This induces a dipole in a neighbouring molecule. The two dipoles attract each other.
Weak attractive forces that operate between neighbouring molecules.
Weak attractive forces that operate between neighbouring molecules.
Refers to the strong covalent bonds that hold atoms together within a molecule.
Refers to the strong covalent bonds that hold atoms together within a molecule.
J
K
L
In this physical state particles are free to move and tumble relative to each other. However, there is still a long range order in the assembly of particles and attractive forces operating between them.
A pair of electrons in an atom which are not involved in bonding.
M
Two or more atoms linked together by a chemical bond that involves sharing of electrons.
The starting molecule(s) from which a polymer can be made. Thousands of monomers will react together, linking via strong covalent bonds, to form a long chain polymer.
O
P
These intermolecular attractions occur when molecules contain atoms with very different electronegativities. A polar bond leads to a permanent dipole in the molecule which will then attract a similar permanent dipole in a neighbouring molecule.
When one end of a bond or molecule becomes slightly negative and the other end slightly positive.
A molecule or bond that has a slightly negative end and a slightly positive end.
Long chain molecule(s), formed by linking many smaller units (monomers) together.
Sub-atomic particle(s) found in the nucleus of the atom. It has a positive charge, equal in magnitude to the negative charge on an electron.
Q
R
S
In this physical state particles are closely packed. They occupy fixed positions. Their only movement is vibrational.
The particles that make up an atom (proton, electron and neutron).
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
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