Question
Compare the physical and chemical properties of ethylene and polyethylene.
Answer
- Ethylene is a gas at room temperature, while polyethylene is a solid polymer.
- Ethylene is a simple hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C2H4, while polyethylene is a polymer made up of repeating ethylene units.
- Chemically, ethylene is relatively unreactive, while polyethylene can undergo various chemical reactions, such as oxidation, hydrolysis, and degradation.
- Ethylene has a lower molecular weight and density compared to polyethylene.
