Monomer and Polymer β€” Chemistry Short Notes πŸ“š

VHTC
Hand Written Notes
Published in
3 min readFeb 25, 2024

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Introduction:

➑️ Chemistry is filled with fascinating relationships between different types of molecules.

➑️ This article explores the intriguing connection between monomers and polymers, two fundamental building blocks in the world of chemistry.

➑️ We will delve into their definitions, characteristics, and the fascinating process that transforms one into the other.

Monomers: The Individual Units

➑️ Definition: Monomers are simple molecules that act as the building blocks for larger and more complex structures called polymers.

➑️ Characteristics:

➭ Typically small in size compared to polymers.

➭Possess functional groups that enable them to bond with other monomers.

➭ Examples include glucose (sugar), ethylene (ethene), and amino acids.

Polymers: The Chain Reactions

➑️ Definition: Polymers are large molecules formed by the chemical linkage of numerous monomer units.

➑️ Characteristics:

➭ Exhibit a repeating pattern of the constituent monomers.

➭ Possess vastly different properties compared to their individual monomer units.

➭ Examples include DNA, proteins, plastics, and rubber.

The Transformation: Polymerization

➭ The process of monomers linking together to form a polymer is called polymerization.

➭ This process can occur through various mechanisms, often involving the formation of covalent bonds between the monomers.

➭ The number of monomers linked in a polymer chain can vary greatly, influencing the overall properties of the resulting polymer.

Handwritten Monomer and Polymer β€” Short Notes πŸ“š

Originally published at https://www.vhtc.org.

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