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Why does nothing stick to Teflon?

Anyone who has ever washed pots and pans, knows that Teflon-coated cookware is one of the easiest to wash by far. It seems that no matter how hard one tries, nothing sticks to such cookware. How does this magic occur?

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Here is a representation of the Teflon polymer chain. Choose the correct answers. 

1.

The polymer chains can be hydrolyzed.

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2.

The Teflon polymer is formed by Chain-growth polymerization. 

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3.

The process of Teflon formation by polymerization requires a catalyst. 

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4.

The monomer that composes the Teflon polymer is HOOC-CF2-CF2-OH

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5.

The monomer that composes the Teflon polymer is CF2=CF2

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Here is a representation of the Teflon polymer chain.
Teflon chains are straight and have a spiral structure. Why?
There are three nonbonding electron pairs around each fluorine atom, therefore the fluorine atoms have a relatively large volume. Fluorine atoms located on neighbouring carbon atoms draw apart from each other in order to distance their pairs of nonbonding electrons, causing them to pivot at a small angle from each other and thus the chain becomes spiral. Spiral chains remain straight and do not curve, since curving will draw fluorine atoms (and the nonbonding electrons surrounding them) closer to each other instead of pushing them farther away.

 

Why is it that no covalent bonds form between the Teflon coating of the pan and the substances that we fry in it? Choose the correct answer.

1.

The enthalpy of C-F bonds is large

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2.

The enthalpy of C=C bonds is large

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3.

The enthalpy of C-C bonds is large

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A gecko can walk on walls and ceilings due to strong Van der Waals bonds that form between the bristles on its feet and the walls and ceilings. 
The gecko slides from surfaces coated with Teflon because the Van der Waals bonds formed between its bristles and the Teflon are too weak to carry its weight. 

 

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Why does nothing stick to Teflon? - Interactive video

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Activity Overview

In this video, students will watch an explanation of how Teflon is attached to a pan. After completing learning the subject of “Polymers” in class, the students will answer questions related to the Teflon polymer and will receive further explanations regarding this polymer in the video.

Terms

Monomer, polymer, Chain-growth polymerization, Step-growth polymerization, Teflon, intermolecular bonds, Van der Waals bonds, polar bonds, catalyst, hydrolysis, bond enthalpy.

Skills

Knowledge building