JEE Advanced levelOne or more correct optionsDifficulty 3 of 3pl197
For an ideal free radical polymerisation without chain transfer at fixed temperature and monomer concentration, the initiator concentration is increased. Take the rate to vary as [I]1/2 and the kinetic chain length as [I]−1/2. Which of the following is/are correct? (One or more options may be correct.)
AThe average degree of polymerisation decreases.
BThe rate of polymerisation increases.
CThe rate of polymerisation is unaffected.
DThe average degree of polymerisation increases.
Answer: A, B
More initiator gives more radicals, so the rate rises as [I]1/2. The same monomer is shared among more chains and termination is faster, so each chain is shorter, with kinetic chain length falling as [I]−1/2.