Arizona State Board Nail Technology Practice Exam

What term describes the process that creates very long polymer chains during polymerization?

1. apex

2. chain reaction

3. cross-linking

4. curing

The correct answer is: chain reaction

The term that describes the process creating very long polymer chains during polymerization is "chain reaction." In polymer chemistry, a chain reaction refers to a process where one reactive molecule (or monomer) reacts to form another reactive site, allowing many such reactions to occur in sequence. This leads to the continuous growth of a polymer chain. During polymerization through a chain reaction mechanism, free radicals or initiators start the reaction, adding monomer units to form a growing polymer chain. As the process continues, it results in the formation of long-chain polymers, which have unique properties that differ significantly from their individual monomer counterparts. In contrast, cross-linking, while also relevant in polymer chemistry, pertains to the formation of bonds between different polymer chains, which can affect the mechanical properties and stability of the polymer but is not the main process responsible for creating long chains. Curing refers to the hardening or setting of a polymer, often through a chemical reaction that can also involve cross-linking but is not specific to the formation of long chains. The term apex does not relate to polymerization and is not applicable in this context.