Polymers (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Chemistry)

Polymers: the basics

• Polymers are large molecules built by linking 50 or more smaller molecules called monomers

• Each repeat unit is connected to the adjacent units via covalent bonds

• Examples of polymers include PVC and nylon

Many monomers join together to form a polymer

• Poly(ethene) is formed by the addition polymerisation of ethene monomers

• Addition polymerisation involves the addition of many monomers to make a long chained polymer

• In this case, many ethene monomers join together due to the carbon carbon double bond breaking 

Poly(ethene) is formed by addition polymerisation using ethene monomers