HSC Chemistry Assessment Task 3

Production of Materials & Acidic Environment

Task Outline
1. Production of Materials:
Analyse information from secondary sources such as computer simulations, molecular
model kits or multimedia resources to model the polymerisation process
Addition Polymerisation
- Small molecules (monomers) add together to form long molecules (polymers), and no other
product
- An initiator molecule is added, which decomposes to form reactive free radicals
- These radicals can react with monomer units , causing the double bond in these molecules to be
broken, and becoming reactive monomer free radicals
- These radicals continue to react with other monomer units, thus making up a polymer radical
- Polymerisation ends when two propagating polymer radicals collide, resulting in the termination
of the addition process
Condensation Polymerisation
- Monomer units add together to form polymers, with a by-product (usually water)

Identify the following as commercially significant monomers:
o Vinyl Chloride
o Styrene
by both their systematic and common names.
Describe the uses of the polymers made from the above monomers in terms of
properties
Monomer Polymer
Systematic
name
Common
name
Name of
Polymer
Uses Properties
Chloroethene Vinyl Chloride Polyvinylchloride Pipes and
gutters,
flexible
raincoats and
shower
curtains
Can be made
rigid and flame
resistant with
additives,
water resistant
Ethenylbenzene Styrene Polystyrene Compact disc
cases, heat
insulation,
floatation
devices
Transparent,
Low density,
Forms foam
when gas is
added

2. The Acidic Environment
Classify common substances as acidic, basic or neutral
Acidic Neutral Basic
- Battery Acid (0.8)
- Gastric Fluid (1.2)
- Lemon Juice (2.2)
- Carbonated beverages (2.5)
- Vinegar (3.0)
- Orange juice (3.6)
- Beer (4.4)
- Coffee (4.9)
- Pure rain (5.6)
- Egg Yolks (5.6)
- Milk (6.6)
- Distilled water (7.0) - Blood (7.4)
- Seawater (8.0)
- Baking soda (8.2)
- Milk of magnesia (10.6)
- Household ammonia (11.5)
- Household bleach (12.7)
- Household Iye (13.6)

Identify and describe some everyday uses of indicators including the testing of soil
acidity/basicity
Acid-base indicators and pH testing kits are used in a range of everyday situations,
including in:
o Soil testing
o Chemicals used in pool maintenance
o Aquarium supplies