Can chains of carbon atoms be thousands of atoms long?

1 Answer
anor277
Feb 27, 2017

Why not.......?

Explanation:

Typical straight chains polyethylenes have molecular weights of #200-300xx10^3# #"amu".# We divide thru by #14*"amu"# and we get a chain length of approx. #20000# methylene units. Why did I divide thru by #14*"amu"#?

Ultra high molecular weight polyethylenes can approach #3xx10^6# #"amu"#, What is a typical chain length in these polymers?

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