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Which of the following statements concerning polymers is FALSE?

a. Polymers are synthesized from monomers during hydrolysis.
b. Polymers are synthesized from monomers during dehydration synthesis.
c. Polymers are long chains of monomers.
d. All of the above are false.

User LachlanG
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The false statement about polymers is that they are synthesized from monomers during hydrolysis. The correct process for polymer synthesis is dehydration synthesis, where water is released. Hydrolysis actually breaks down polymers into monomers.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement concerning polymers that is FALSE is (a) Polymers are synthesized from monomers during hydrolysis. This statement is incorrect because hydrolysis is the process where polymers are broken down into monomers, not synthesized.

The correct process for the synthesis of polymers from monomers is dehydration synthesis (also known as condensation reactions), wherein monomers are joined by covalent bonds and water is released as a byproduct. During dehydration synthesis, one monomer gives up a hydrogen atom and the other gives up a hydroxyl group, which together form a water molecule.

Conversely, in hydrolysis reactions, polymers are split into monomers. A molecule of water contributes a hydrogen atom to one monomer and a hydroxyl group to the other, effectively breaking the covalent bonds between monomers in the polymer.

User Jobi
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