Polymers
Describe the process of polymerization and identify important natural and synthetic polymers Additional KEY Terms monomer
Polymers are very large molecules made of many smaller repeating units. ‘poly’ – many ‘mer’ – part. Each individual part is called a monomer. Polyethylene – “plastic wrap’
Two main Polymerization reactions: 1. Addition polymers: only 1 type of monomer added together to form a long chain polymer. Monomer is usually an alkene. (Polypropylene, Teflon, synthetic rubbers) Usually requires an initiator – to kick start the reaction (disrupts double bonds)
2. Condensation polymers : reactions with two or more different monomers linked A-B-A-B… (nylon, polyurethane, and Dacron)
GO TO: Macrogalleria of Polymer Fun Go to (Level 1) Go to three or four stores List 6 different polymers (skip duplicates) Follow the links for each polymer (Level 2) Name and draw monomer(s) Draw polymer List the uses of each polymers
EXAMPLE Draw polymer Name and draw monomer(s) List the uses of each polymers NAMEMONOMERPOLYMERUSES
CAN YOU / HAVE YOU? Describe the process of polymerization and identify important natural and synthetic polymers Additional KEY Terms monomer