Question

How can you differentiate between addition and condensation polymerisation?

Answer 1

Hint: As we know polymerization, is combining a large number of small molecules to form a single macromolecule. Monomers are the small molecules that act as the building blocks of polymers. Addition polymerization and condensation polymerization are the two groups of polymerization.

Complete step by step answer:
Let us discuss addition polymerization in brief: As the name suggests, addition polymerization is the process of repeated addition of monomers that possess double or triple bonds to form polymers.
Condensation polymerization is the process involving multiple condensation reactions between two different tri-functional or bi-functional monomers.
Now let us see the difference between addition polymerization and condensation polymerization in a tabular form:

Addition Polymerization	Condensation Polymerization
In this polymerization, monomers must have either double or triple bond	While in this polymerization, monomers must have two similar or different functional groups
In this group, addition of monomers results in polymers.	But in this group, condensation of monomers results in polymers.
Here, no by products are produced	But in this group, by products such as water and ammonia are produced.
In this polymerization, reactions are catalysed by peroxides and acids at 1000 atmospheric pressure.	While in condensation polymerization, sulphuric acid can be used as catalyst in (polyamide reaction)
Here, the molecular weight of the resultant polymers is a multiple of monomer’s molecular weight	But in this polymerization, the molecular weight of the resultant polymer is not a multiple of the monomer's molecular weight.
Examples of addition polymerization are poly vinyl chloride, polyethene, etc	While in this polymerization, common examples are polyesters and polyamides

Note: Hence, do not confuse additional polymerization with condensation polymerization because addition polymerization involves polymers that are formed by the combination of alkene monomers to produce a single huge molecule Whereas condensation polymerization reaction involves polymers which are formed by the combinations of monomers by eliminating simple molecules like ${{H}_{2}}O$ and $N{{H}_{3}}$.