Suppose you wished to make a “model” of a linear polyethylene having a molecular weight of about 170,000 (a reasonable number for a commercial product) using paper clips to represent the repeating unit. How many paper clips would you have to string together

Organic Chemistry
8th Edition
ISBN:9781305580350
Author:William H. Brown, Brent L. Iverson, Eric Anslyn, Christopher S. Foote
Publisher:William H. Brown, Brent L. Iverson, Eric Anslyn, Christopher S. Foote
Chapter29: Organic Polymer Chemistry
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 29.32P
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Suppose you wished to make a “model” of a linear polyethylene having a molecular weight of about 170,000 (a reasonable number for a commercial product) using paper clips to represent the repeating unit. How many paper clips would you have to string together?

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Modeling complex molecular structures can be a challenging task, but it is an excellent way to visualize and understand the concepts behind them. In this case, we will be creating a model of a linear polyethylene, which is a common type of polymer used in many commercial products. With a molecular weight of approximately 170,000, we can use paper clips to represent the repeating units in the chain, providing a simple and tangible way to understand the structure and size of this polymer. By breaking down the molecular weight and calculating the number of repeating units, we can string together the necessary number of paper clips to create a visual representation of this polymer. In the following explanation, we will go into detail on how to create this model.

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