--%>

Explain the polymers and its types.

Polymers are the chief products of modern chemical industry which form the backbone of present society. Daily life without the discovery and varied applications of polymers would not have been easier and colourful. The materials made of polymers find multifarious uses and applications in all walks of our life. They have influenced our day to day life to such an extent that it is impossible to get through the day without using a material based on polymers. Common examples of these include plastic dishes, cups, non-stick. Pans, automobile tyres and seat covers, plastic bags, rain coats, plastic pipes and fitting radio, TV and computer cabinets; wide range of synthetic fibres for clothing, synthetic glues, flooring materials and materials for biomedical and surgical operations. 

Word polymer means "many parts" (Greek: poly means many and merors means parts). A polymer is a compound of high molecular mass created by the mixture of large number of small molecules. The small molecules which comprise the repeating units in a polymer are known as monomer units. The process by which the monomers are transformed into polymer is called polymerization. For example, polyethylene is a polymer which is obtained by the polymerization of ethylene. The ethylene molecules are referred to as monomer units.
1000_Polymers.png 
As polymers are single and giant molecules, i.e. big size molecules, they are also known as macromolecules.

Homopolymers and copolymers

Polymers are divided into two broad categories depending upon the nature of the repeating structural units. These are homopolymers and co-polymers.

The polymer formed from one kind of monomer is called homopolymers while polymer formed from more than one kind of monomer units is called copolymer or mixed polymer. For example, polyethylene is an example of homopolymers whereas Buna-S rubber which is formed from 1, 3-butadiene (CH2 = CH - CH = CH2) and styrene (C6H5CH = CH2) is an example of copolymer. 

 

 

 

   Related Questions in Chemistry

  • Q : Partial vapour pressure of volatile

    Choose the right answer from following. For a solution of volatile liquids the partial vapour pressure of each component in solution is directly proportional to: (a) Molarity (b) Mole fraction (c) Molality (d) Normality

  • Q : Finding strength of HCL solution Can

    Can someone please help me in getting through this problem. 1.0 gm of pure calcium carbonate was found to require 50 ml of dilute  HCL for complete reaction. The strength of the HCL  solution is given by: (a) 4 N  (b) 2 N  (c) 0.4 N  (d) 0.2 N

  • Q : What is laser and explain its working?

    Laser action relies on a non-Boltzmann population inversion formed by the absorption of radiation and vibrational deactivation that forms a long lived excited electronic state. An excited state molecule can move to a lower energy state or return to the

  • Q : Problem on decomposition reaction

    Nitrogen tetroxide (melting point: -11.2°C, normal boiling point 21.15°C) decomposes into nitrogen dioxide according to the following reaction: N2O4(g) ↔ 2 NO2(g)<

  • Q : Decanormal and decinormal solution

    Provide solution of this question.10N/and 1/10N solution is called: (a) Decinormal and decanormal solution (b) Normal and decinormal solution (c) Normal and decanormal solution (d) Decanormal and decinormal solution

  • Q : Molecular substances what are the most

    what are the most important inorganic molecular substances for living beings?

  • Q : Infrared Adsorption The adsorption of

    The adsorption of infrared radiation by diatomic molecules increases the vibrational energy fo molecules and gives information about the force constant for the "spring" of the molecule.;The molecular motion that has the next larger energy level spacing aft

  • Q : Molecular Symmetry Types The number of

    The number of molecular orbitals and molecular motions of each symmetry type can be deduced. Let us continue to use the C2v point group and the H2O molecule to illustrate how the procedure develop

  • Q : Thermodynamics I) Sulphur dioxide (SO2)

    I) Sulphur dioxide (SO2) with a volumetric flow rate 5000cm3/s at 1 bar and 1000C is mixed with a second SO2 stream flowing at 2500cm3/s at 2 bar and 200C. The process occurs at steady state. You may assume ideal gas behaviour. For SO2 take the heat capacity at constant pressure to be CP/R = 3.267

  • Q : Depression in the freezing point When

    When 0.01 mole of sugar is dissolved in 100g of a solvent, the depression in freezing point is 0.40o. When 0.03 mole of glucose is dissolved in 50g of the same solvent, depression in the freezing point will be:(a) 0.60o  (b) 0.80o