GCSE CHEMISTRY - What is the Polymerisation of Ethene?

The Polymerisation of Ethene.

The double bond in an alkene (like ethene) can
be broken open and joined to other molecules
(see the chemistry of polymerisation).

A molecule of ethene can be joined to another molecule
of ethene. In the process, the second ethene molecule
has its double bond broken, and this may be added to
a third molecule of ethene, and so on. Many
ethene molecules can be joined together to form a polymer.
The polymer is called poly(ethene) because it is made
from ethene. This is an example of addition polymerisation.

Poly(ethene) is commonly called polythene.
Polythene is an ICI trademark for poly(ethene).

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