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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