[iamthepolice]

Explain why polyethylene terephthalate has a higher crystalling melting point than polyethlene adipate.

the answer page has been ripped off and i cant get my head around this darn question.

i think its a 4-5 mark question.

[Dan]

Please read the forum rules, particularly number 4.

1. Look up the structures of the two polymers

To melt a substance you need to supply enough energy to overcome the intermolecular forces that hold the molecules together in the solid phase.

2. What intermolecular forces are at work in these cases? What structural features increase or decrease the magnitude of these forces?

3. In which case are these forces stronger and why?