Polymer Engineering Interview Questions and Answers
Question - 1 : - What Are Some Of The Polymers That You Encounter Every Day? Describe Their Physical Properties.
Answer - 1 : -
Sandwich bags, carpets, nylon stockings, stackable chains, milk cartons, etc.
Question - 2 : - Why Do Different Polymers Have Different Properties?
Answer - 2 : -
They have different chemical compositions (different monomer units), different structures, different ways of being fabricated, etc.
Question - 3 : - Why Are Olefins (alkenes) Good Monomers For Polymerization Reactions?
Answer - 3 : -
The electrons in the weak p-bonds can be used to form strong s bonds to other monomer units.
Question - 4 : - What Kinds Of Structural Changes Accompany Bond-breaking And Bond-forming In Olefin Polymerization?
Answer - 4 : -
The olefin monomers are flat (two-dimensional) molecules with sp2-hybridized carbon atoms. The polymers are three-dimensional molecules in which the carbon atoms are sp3 hybridized.
Question - 5 : - How Does The Molecular-level Structure Of These Polymers Influence Their Physical Properties?
Answer - 5 : -
The structure (e.g., extent of branching) determines how the individual polymer molecules can orient (or "pack") in the solid state. This, in turn, influences physical properties such as density, crystallinity, melting point, and strength.
Question - 6 : - How Can Chemists Control Which Type Of Polyethylene (ldpe Vs. Hdpe) Is Generated?
Answer - 6 : -
Through the choice of appropriate catalysts and reaction conditions.
Question - 7 : - Besides The Extent Of Branching, Can You Think Of Any Other Structural Parameters That Might Lead To Differences In Physical Properties?
Answer - 7 : -
The average value of n (the number of monomer units in the polymer) and the range in individual values of n.
Question - 8 : - Does Ethylene Polymerize Under Mild Conditions In The Absence Of A Catalyst?
Answer - 8 : -
No, in the absence of a catalyst, ethylene molecules would need to collide at very high energy in order to react with each other.
Question - 9 : - What Is The Role Of A Catalyst?
Answer - 9 : -
A catalyst reduces the energy of activation for a reaction by providing an alternative pathway. In this way, it speeds up the reaction and allows it to proceed under milder conditions.
Question - 10 : - Why Are Metals Often Good Catalysts?
Answer - 10 : -
They provide a site where organic molecules can come together and react.