Polymer

Key Stage 3

A polymer is a long molecule made by reacting together several smaller molecules.


This diagram shows several Ethene molecules reacting together to make a polythene molecule.

Different polymers can have different properties but generally polymers are:

Polymer	Properties	Application
Polythene	Plastic, Strong, Ductile	Shopping bags
PVC	Plastic, Electrical Insulator, Strong	Covering of electrical wires.
Nylon	Plastic, Strong, Flexible, Ductile.	Clothing

A polymer is represented by showing the part that is repeated over and over. The 'n' represents the fact that it is repeated many times.

A polymer is a large molecule made of many identical smaller molecules called monomers.

Polymers are held together by covalent bonds.

Most polymers are made of chains of Carbon atoms since they can from up to 4 covalent bonds with adjacent atoms. However, some can be made from Silicon, which can also form 4 covalent bonds.


Polythene is a polymer made by reacting thousands of Ethene monomers.	PolyTetraFluoroEthene is a polymer made by reacting thousands of TetraFluoroEthene monomers.	PolyPropene is a polymer made by reacting thousands of Propene monomers.

Application	Polymer	Properties
Windows	Polymethylmethacrylate	Transparent - Light can pass through. Flexible - Does not break or shatter when a force is applied.
Covering electrical wires	PVC (Polychloroethene)	Plastic - Can be molded into shape. Electrical Insulator - Prevents electricity leaving the wires. Strong - Is not broken easily when a force is applied.
Shopping bags	Polythene	Plastic - Can be molded into shape. Strong - A very thin bag can hold a large weight. Ductile - Can be stretched into shape. Flexible - Can be bent without breaking.
Clothes	Nylon	Plastic - Can be molded into shape. Strong - A very thin fiber can hold a large weight. Ductile - Can be stretched into fibers. Flexible - Can be bent without breaking.