Lesson Plan

Lesson : Polymers (I)

Aim :

To study the formation of polymers by addition and condensation reactions.

Learning Outcomes :

By the end of the lesson students will be able to:

• define the terms monomer, polymer, homopolymer and copolymer

• describe condensation and addition polymerisation.

Assumed prior knowledge :

Students should already be familiar with :

1. addition reactions of alkenes

2. the concept of condensation reactions

3. the structure of alkenes, alcohols, carboxylic acids and amines.

Underlying Principles

1. Making the invisible, visible.

2. Enabling students to know what to look for.

Differentiation

Questions in the student notes are designed to enable all students to complete the activity.
The pop-up answers are provided for the students to view when they have considered their
responses. Worksheet questions include questions that require recall, understanding and
application of the new concepts learned.

© 2004 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 1 of 3

Development of Lesson :

No. Steps Strategy Resources

1 Set Induction. • Teacher to get students to recall the
(Ascertaining prior structures of alkenes, alcohols, carboxylic
knowledge and acids and amines.
introducing lesson
topic for the day). • Teacher to point out lesson objectives for
the day.

2 Student Activity Teacher to go through Activities 1 and 2 • Courseware

with the students.

Activity 1 : Addition polymerisation

Students get to view how poly(ethene) is

formed from ethene monomers. They also
get to learn that polymers are a series of
repeating units.

Activity 2 : Condensation
polymerisation

Students get to view the formation of a

polyamide and a polyester from the
condensation reactions between two
different types of monomers.

3 Evaluation • Students to answer questions in the • Worksheet

student worksheet on their own.

4 Extension activity • Students to read up reference materials • References

on their own.

© 2004 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 2 of 3

Worksheet Answers

2. Condensation polymerisation

2.1
H CN
 
a.  C  C  An addition polymer
 
H C O

OCH3 n

H O

b.  N  (CH2)5  C  A condensation polymer
n

2.2 a. A condensation polymer

HOCH2CH2CH2CH2OH and

O O

H3CO  C C  OCH3

b. An addition polymer
Cl Cl
 
CH2 CH and CH2 C

Cl

2.3 a. Hexanedioic acid and 1,6-hexanediamine

b. Carboxyl groups and amino groups

c. Amide linkage

d. A condensation polymer

2.4 i and iii

© 2004 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 3 of 3