(a) What molecular features make a polymer flexible

Problem 12.87a(a) What molecular features make a polymer flexible (b) If you cross-link a polymer, is itmore flexible or less flexible than it was before Step-by-step solution Step 1 of 2 (a)Absence of strong and high number of intermolecular forces between polymer chains can resultthe flexibility of a polymer. Absence of stronger intermolecular forces like hydrogen bonding,permanent dipole-dipole interactions, or delocalization of electrons like in benzene rings orcross-link bonding network in a polymer makes them flexible.Higher the number of such bonding in a polymer higher will be the stiffness in the polymer.These bonds will constraint the movement of molecular chains which results in less flexiblepolymer. Therefore, lesser the number of intermolecular attractions between polymeric chainsthe higher will be the flexibility of polymer.