Question

Which of the following are linear polymers?
A. Cellulose
B. Natural rubber
C. Both A and B
D. None of these

Answer 1

Hint: Since we have come across the word linear multiple times we can expect a linear polymer to be a long continuous chain of carbon–carbon bonds with the remaining two valence bonds attached primarily to hydrogen.

Complete step by step solution:
Cellulose is one of many polymers found in nature. Wood, paper, and cotton all contain cellulose. Cellulose is an excellent fiber. Wood, cotton, and hemp rope are all made of fibrous cellulose. Cellulose is made of repeat units of the monomer glucose. This is the same glucose which our body metabolizes in order to live, but we can't digest it in the form of cellulose. Because cellulose is built out of a sugar monomer, it is called a polysaccharide.
We can consider natural rubber considered as a linear polymer of isoprene (2-methyl-1, 3-butadiene) and is also called as cis - 1, 4 -polyisoprene.
The cis-polyisoprene molecule consists of various chains held together by weak van der Waals interactions and has a coiled structure.
Thus, it can be stretched like a spring and exhibits elastic properties.
Both Cellulose and Natural Rubber are linear polymers.

Hence, Option (C) is correct.

Note: Thus we can conclude that a polymer consisting of a single continuous chain of repeat units is called linear polymers. The linear polymers are well packed and have high magnitude of intermolecular forces of attraction and therefore have high densities, high tensile strength and high melting points.
Some other common examples of linear Polymers are high density polythene, nylon, polyester, PVC, PAN etc.