Polymers & Plastics
Chemistry: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 11.8.3
Polymers and Plastics
Polymers are large molecules from repeating monomers. Poly(ethene) is an addition polymer formed by ethene monomers, creating plastics with useful properties.
What are polymers?
- Polymers are large molecules made from smaller repeating units called monomers.
- Chemistry defines polymers as the basis of many materials, including plastics.
- Plastics are materials made from these polymers.
Introduction to poly(ethene)
- Chemists classify poly(ethene) as an addition polymer.
- Addition polymers form when many ethene molecules join together.
- Each ethene molecule acts as a monomer in this process.
-polymer-ethene,w_800.png)
Formation of poly(ethene)
- Ethene molecules have a carbon-carbon double bond (C=C).
- In addition polymerisation, the double bond opens.
- Open bonds allow ethene monomers to join end-to-end.
- This creates a long chain called poly(ethene).
Plastics are made from polymers
- Plastics are materials made from polymers.
- Poly(ethene) is used to make many types of plastic products.
- Plastics have properties like flexibility and durability due to their polymer structure.
- Understanding polymers helps chemists create new plastics.
Summary of poly(ethene) and plastics
- Poly(ethene) forms by addition polymerisation of ethene monomers.
- Plastics are made from polymers, including poly(ethene).
- Polymers give plastics useful properties for everyday materials.
Test yourself on Polymers & Plastics
How is poly(ethene) classified in terms of polymer types?