1. Unit 2 – Day 9
Polymers

2. Polymers
Polymers are long chains of smaller molecules joined together. (polymer means many parts).
The smaller parts are called monomers.

3. Polymers Many things we use are polymers, both natural and synthetic.
Cellulose
Plastics
Collagen (Hair,
Nylon
Fingernails)
Spandex
Protein
Kevlar
DNA
Polyester

4. Monomers
Monomers need to have a structure that can bond on either side in order to allow the chain to continue in both directions.

5. Monomers
Examples: Amino acids form protein chains

6. Polymerization

7. Condensation Polymerization
The previous example is called condensation polymerization.
This is because water is removed as a product every time a bond is made.
Many polymers are made in this way.

8. Condensation Example.
We’ll show the condensation reaction between glucose and fructose.

9. Addition Polymerization
Another type of polymerization is addition.
This is the case when the monomer has a double bond.
The double bond breaks and forms a new bond that extends the chain.
An example of this is polyethylene plastic.

10. Addition Example
Polyethylene

11. Make Your Own! Try the examples on the sheet.
When done, try making silly putty following the recipe on the lab sheet.
Do NOT use this putty for mischief in your other classes or we won’t do anything fun ever again. Ever.