Question

Which of the following are addition homopolymers?
A. Teflon
B. SBR
C. PVC
D. Natural rubber

Answer 1

Hint: To solve the given question, we have to study the addition homopolymer first. And then by drawing the structure of the given polymers we will explain them and then we will choose the correct option.

Complete step by step answer:
- In the given question, we have to choose the polymer which is an example of an addition homopolymer.
- As we know that polymers are the substance which is formed by the repetition of the monomer that is the smallest unit.
- When the formation of a long chain is done by the addition of the monomer units without the elimination of any by-product, the chain formed is known as addition polymer.
- The monomer units are unsaturated compounds which means it consists of the double and triple bond.
- Among the given options, Teflon, SBR and PVC are the addition polymer
- In Teflon, tetrafluoroethylene which is the unsaturated compound which polymerises to form Teflon.

tetrafluoroethylene Teflon
- Here, no by-product is formed, only the addition of tetrafluoroethylene takes place that’s why it is an addition polymer.

- In PVC or Poly Vinyl Chloride, it is also a homopolymer because it is made by the addition of vinyl chloride only.

   Vinyl chloride Poly Vinyl Chloride

- Similarly, in natural rubber, the monomer is known as 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene or isoprene. As it is also made up of only one type of unsaturated compound so the natural rubber is also known as addition homopolymer.

- But in SBR or Styrene-butadiene, the polymer is made by the polymerisation of the two types of the monomer that is 1,3 - butadiene and styrene.
- SBR is an example of the copolymer.

So, the correct answer is “Option A, C and D”.

Note: In the given problem, copolymers are the polymers in which two or more different types of monomer combine and form a long chain known as co-polymer and the process is known as co-polymerisation.