What is polymerization in polymers?
Polymerization, any process in which relatively small molecules, called monomers, combine chemically to produce a very large chainlike or network molecule, called a polymer. The monomer molecules may be all alike, or they may represent two, three, or more different compounds.
How do you explain polymers to kids?
Polymers are very big molecules made up of many smaller molecules layered together in a repeating pattern. In fact, the word polymer is Greek for ‘many parts. ‘ The smaller molecules that come together to form polymers are called monomers–small units that link together over and over to form a large polymer.
What is reactivity of polymers?
2.11 reactive polymer A polymer having chemical groups that can be transformed into other chemical groups under the specific conditions required for a given reaction or application.
What are polymers Britannica?
polymer, any of a class of natural or synthetic substances composed of very large molecules, called macromolecules, that are multiples of simpler chemical units called monomers. Polymers make up many of the materials in living organisms, including, for example, proteins, cellulose, and nucleic acids.
What are examples of polymers?
Examples of synthetic polymers include nylon, polyethylene, polyester, Teflon, and epoxy. Natural polymers occur in nature and can be extracted. They are often water-based. Examples of naturally occurring polymers are silk, wool, DNA, cellulose and proteins.
What are polymers used for kids?
Polymers make up many of the materials in living organisms. Proteins are polymers of amino acids, cellulose is a polymer of sugar molecules, and nucleic acids such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) are polymers of nucleotides. Many synthetic materials, including nylon, paper, plastics, and rubbers, are also polymers.
How are polymers made for kids?
A polymer is a molecule, made from joining together many small molecules called monomers. A chemical reaction bonding monomers together to make a polymer is called polymerization. Some polymers are natural and made by organisms.
What are three natural polymers?
Natural polymers occur in nature and can be extracted. They are often water-based. Examples of naturally occurring polymers are silk, wool, DNA, cellulose and proteins. In our previous section on network polymers, we mentioned vulcanized rubber and pectin.