Which statement describes addition polymerization in the context of polyethylene formation?

Which statement describes addition polymerization in the context of polyethylene formation?

• A. Addition polymerization yields polymers from unsaturated monomers with no small molecule by-product
• B. Condensation polymerization yields polyethylene
• C. Redox polymerization forms polyethylene
• D. Dehydration polymerization yields polyethylene

Answer: (A)

Addition polymerization is about linking together unsaturated monomers, like ethene, by opening their carbon–carbon double bonds and adding each new unit to the growing chain. A key feature is that no small molecule is released during the process, so the only product is the long polymer chain itself. This precisely matches polyethylene, which is formed by repeatedly adding ethene units without producing water, methanol, or other by-products. The other descriptions don’t fit polyethylene. Condensation polymerization involves releasing a small molecule (such as water or methanol) with each linkage, which isn’t how polyethylene is made. Redox polymerization is not the standard description for this polymerization type, and dehydration polymerization is a form of condensation polymerization that also releases a small molecule, not applicable to polyethylene formation.

Addition polymerization is about linking together unsaturated monomers, like ethene, by opening their carbon–carbon double bonds and adding each new unit to the growing chain. A key feature is that no small molecule is released during the process, so the only product is the long polymer chain itself. This precisely matches polyethylene, which is formed by repeatedly adding ethene units without producing water, methanol, or other by-products.

The other descriptions don’t fit polyethylene. Condensation polymerization involves releasing a small molecule (such as water or methanol) with each linkage, which isn’t how polyethylene is made. Redox polymerization is not the standard description for this polymerization type, and dehydration polymerization is a form of condensation polymerization that also releases a small molecule, not applicable to polyethylene formation.