A polymer (/ˈpɒlɪmər/; Greek poly-, “many” + -mer, “part”) is a
substance or material consisting of very large molecules
, or macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits. Due to their broad spectrum of properties, both synthetic and natural polymers play essential and ubiquitous roles in everyday life.
What polymer means?
polymer,
any of a class of natural or synthetic substances composed of very large molecules, called macromolecules
, that are multiples of simpler chemical units called monomers. Polymers make up many of the materials in living organisms, including, for example, proteins, cellulose, and nucleic acids.
What is polymer in simple words?
A polymer is a
molecule
, made from joining together many small molecules called monomers. The word “polymer” can be broken down into “poly” (meaning “many” in Greek) and “mer” (meaning “unit”). … Proteins have polypeptide molecules, which are natural polymers made from various amino acid monomer units.
What is a polymer with example?
Examples of naturally occurring polymers are
silk, wool, DNA, cellulose and proteins
. In our previous section on network polymers, we mentioned vulcanized rubber and pectin. Vulcanized rubber is a synthetic (man-made) polymer, while pectin is an example of a natural polymer.
Which is the best definition of a polymer?
A polymer is
a very large, chain-like molecule made up of monomers
, which are small molecules. It can be naturally occurring or synthetic. … Since poly- means “many,” a polymer means “many parts.” You’ll find polymers everywhere: they’re what make spandex stretch and sneakers bounce.
What are 4 types of polymers?
Terms. Synthetic polymers are human-made polymers. From the utility point of view, they can be classified into four main categories:
thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, and synthetic fibers
.
What are the uses of polymer?
| Polymer Properties Uses | Poly(chloroethene) ‘PVC’ Tough, electrical insulator, can be made hard or flexible Insulation for electrical wires, windows, gutters, pipes | Poly(tetrafluoroethene) ‘PFTE’ Slippery, chemically unreactive Non-stick coatings for pans, containers for laboratory substances |
|---|
What is the importance of polymers?
Polymer. Polymers are an essential material that is
widely used in a lot of daily life’s products and good
, and it is unimaginable to live without it. Polymers were formed when many small molecules named monomers were linked together to form long chains.
What are the 3 main types of polymers?
There are 3 principal classes of polymers –
thermoplastics, thermosets, and elastomers
. Differentiation between these classes is best defined by their behaviour under applied heat. Thermoplastic polymers can be either amorphous or crystalline. They behave in a relatively ductile manner but often have low strength.
What are the characteristics of polymer?
Some of the useful properties of various engineering polymers are
high strength or modulus to weight ratios
(light weight but comparatively stiff and strong), toughness, resilience, resistance to corrosion, lack of conductivity (heat and electrical), color, transparency, processing, and low cost.
Which is an example of a biological polymer?
Examples of natural polymers are
cellulose, shellac and amber
. Biopolymers such as proteins and nucleic acids play crucial roles in biological processes. … Examples are cellulose, starch, or glycogen. Polypeptides are polymers of amino acids joined together by peptide bonds.
Where is polymer found?
Polymers are both found in nature and
manufactured in laboratories
. Natural polymers were used for their chemical properties long before they were understood in the chemistry laboratory: Wool, leather, and flax were processed into fibers to make clothing; animal bone was boiled down to make glues.
Is cotton a polymer?
Cotton is a polymer which is
made up of cellulose
. Cellulose is a carbohydrate which is also a polymer of repeated chains of glucose.
Is wood a polymer?
Wood itself contains polymers
such as lignin, cellulose, and various hemi- celluloses but has very different properties from the synthetic polymers with which it is most often combined. Wood is less expensive, stiffer, and stronger than these synthetic polymers, making it a useful filler or reinforcement.
Is Glue a polymer?
Elmer’s Glue contains polyvinyl acetate molecules, which are long
polymer
molecules that are tangled with each other. This is what makes glue viscous, or thick and sticky.
What are the 2 main types of polymers?
- thermosetting plastic or thermoset.
- thermoforming plastic or thermoplastic.
