Calculate the total number of carbon atoms present in exactly one complete repeating unit of the pol — Polymers Chemistry Question
Question
Calculate the total number of carbon atoms present in exactly one complete repeating unit of the polyester Terylene (Dacron).
Answer: 10
💡 Solution & Explanation
The repeating unit of Dacron is $[-OCH_2-CH_2-O-CO-C_6H_4-CO-]$. The ethylene glycol moiety contributes 2 carbon atoms ($-CH_2-CH_2-$). The terephthalic acid moiety contributes 8 carbon atoms (6 in the benzene ring + 2 in the carbonyl groups). Total carbon atoms = $2 + 8 = 10$.
💬Ask on WhatsApp →
Still have doubts about this question?
Send it to our AI chemistry tutor on WhatsApp — gets answered in minutes