Polymers: The Basics
- Polymers are large molecules built by linking 50 or more smaller molecules called monomers
- Each repeat unit is connected to the adjacent units via covalent bonds
- Examples of polymers include PVC and nylon
Many monomers join together to form a polymer
- Poly(ethene) is formed by the addition polymerisation of ethene monomers
- Addition polymerisation involves the addition of many monomers to make a long chained polymer
- In this case, many ethene monomers join together due to the carbon carbon double bond breaking
Poly(ethene) is formed by addition polymerisation using ethene monomers
