Explain why Dacron is called a polyester. What is the percent oxygen, by mass, in Dacron?

Name: Problem 46, Chapter 27: General Chemistry: Principles and Modern Applications
Uploaded: 2020-06-24T22:14:12-08:00
Duration: 2 min 39 s
Channel: Catherine Lemar
Description: Explain why Dacron is called a polyester. What is the percent oxygen, by mass, in Dacron?

step 1 Dachron is called a polyester because it is a polymer material and part of the polyester family.

Explain why Dacron is called a polyester. What is the...

Key Concepts

Polyester

Polyesters are a class of polymers characterized by the presence of ester functional groups within their main chain. They are typically produced through the reaction between a diacid and a diol, resulting in the formation of repeating ester bonds. This recurring chemical structure gives polyesters their physical and chemical properties, such as strength, durability, and resistance to environmental degradation.

Ester Functional Group

The ester functional group, represented as -COO-, is central to polyesters. It is formed by a condensation reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol, where water is eliminated. This functional group is responsible for linking the monomer units in the polymer chain and contributes significantly to the overall properties of the polyester.

Condensation Polymerization

Condensation polymerization is a chemical process where monomers join together through reactions that typically produce small molecules as byproducts, most commonly water. In the context of polyesters, this process involves the combination of diacids and diols, creating ester linkages. This method is fundamental to synthesizing polymers like polyesters and determining their molecular structure.

Percent Composition Calculation

Calculating the percent composition, such as the percent oxygen by mass in a compound, involves determining the mass contribution of oxygen relative to the total molecular mass of the repeating unit. This analysis requires knowing the number of oxygen atoms in the unit, the atomic mass of oxygen, and the overall molecular weight. The result is expressed as a percentage, which reflects the proportion of the compound’s mass attributable to oxygen.

Transcript

Please give Ace some feedback