Question:

Which statement regarding polymers is not correct?

Updated On: May 2, 2025

Elastomers have polymer chains held together by weak intermolecular forces.
Fibers possess high tensile strength.
Thermoplastic polymers are capable of repeatedly softening and hardening on heating and cooling respectively.
Thermosetting polymers are reusable.

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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

To determine which statement regarding polymers is not correct, let's analyze each option:

Elastomers have polymer chains held together by weak intermolecular forces. This is true. Elastomers are a type of polymer that can be stretched and they typically return to their original shape when the stretching force is removed. This behavior is due to the weak intermolecular forces between polymer chains, allowing them to stretch and contract easily.
Fibers possess high tensile strength. This is true. Fibers are polymer chains that are aligned and packed closely together, which provides them with high tensile strength. They are used in applications like textiles where this property is essential.
Thermoplastic polymers are capable of repeatedly softening and hardening on heating and cooling respectively. This is true. Thermoplastics can be heated to soften, molded into a shape, and cooled to harden. This process can be repeated multiple times without significantly degrading the material's properties.
Thermosetting polymers are reusable. This statement is incorrect. Thermosetting polymers undergo a curing process that creates cross-links between polymer chains, resulting in a rigid structure that does not melt upon reheating. Once set, they cannot be remolded or reused, which differentiates them from thermoplastics.

Thus, the incorrect statement regarding polymers is: Thermosetting polymers are reusable.

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Concepts Used:

Types of Polymerization Reactions

Polymerization is a chemical reaction in which a large number of monomer molecules combine to produce a polymer. A polymerization can yield macromolecules with a linear or branching structure. They can also take the form of a three-dimensional complicated network.

Types of Polymerisation

Polymerization reactions are divided into two groups, namely, Addition polymerization (chain reaction) and condensation reaction (step reaction).

Addition Polymerisation: As the name denotes, we can see the addition of monomers to form a polymer, twice the number or even more than that. Here, we can either select monomers of the same species or of different species. When we choose the single species monomers for the polymerization, the product thus formed is known as homopolymer (for example polythene used to make bags). When we use two different species for additional polymerization, the polymer would be known as copolymer (for example, Buna-S and Buna-N).
Condensation Polymerisation: In the condensation polymerisation, we can find elimination of compounds like HCL, water, alcohol etc...; while the monomers condense during the reaction process. This reaction happens between tri-function and bi-function monomer units and results in the formation of polymers like nylon.