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Answer part A or part B - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question (k) - 2019
Question (k)
Answer part A or part B. A. Why is nitrogen gas unreactive? or B. Draw two repeating units of the polymer poly(propene).
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Answer part A or part B - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question (k) - 2019
Step 1
Why is nitrogen gas unreactive?
Answer
Nitrogen gas (N₂) is unreactive due to several key factors:
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Strong Triple Bond: Nitrogen has a very strong triple bond between the two nitrogen atoms. This bond requires a significant amount of energy to break, making the molecule stable under standard conditions.
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High Degree of Symmetry: The linear structure of N₂ leads to a high degree of symmetry, which contributes to its stability.
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Non-polar Molecule: Nitrogen is non-polar, meaning it does not have a dipole moment. This non-polarity results in a lack of attraction to other molecules, making it chemically inert.
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No Unpaired Electrons: N₂ does not have any unpaired electrons, which limits its ability to participate in reactions that require the formation of radicals.
Overall, due to these characteristics, nitrogen remains largely inert in most chemical reactions.
Step 2
Draw two repeating units of the polymer poly(propene).
Answer
To illustrate two repeating units of poly(propene), the structure can be represented as follows:
H H
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CH3—C—CH2—C—CH2
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H H
This shows the backbone of the polymer, where each repeating unit consists of a carbon chain with a methyl group (CH₃) attached to alternating carbon atoms.