(c) Calculate the degree of polymerization n of polystyrene with a molecular weight of 3.091×106 g/mol.
The empirical formula is (C8H8)n.
(3.091E6/empirical mass) = n
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene
To calculate the degree of polymerization (n) of polystyrene with a given molecular weight (MW), you can use the equation:
n = MW / Mmonomer
Where,
MW = Molecular weight of the polymer (in g/mol)
Mmonomer = Molecular weight of the monomer unit
In the case of polystyrene, the monomer unit is styrene with a molecular weight of 104.15 g/mol.
Therefore, to calculate the degree of polymerization (n) of polystyrene with a molecular weight of 3.091×10^6 g/mol, you can use the equation:
n = 3.091×10^6 g/mol / 104.15 g/mol
n ≈ 29682.82
Therefore, the degree of polymerization (n) of polystyrene is approximately 29682.82.