Classify and identify different polymers to determine their physical properties and uses.

The first 200 words of this essay...

Science 2010

EEI Science Report

Aim

Classify and identify different polymers to determine their physical properties and uses.

Background

Polymers are long chain molecules that are made up of repeating smaller chemical units called monomers. The terms polymer and monomer were derived from the Greek roots poly (many), mono (one) and meros (part). Polymers are commonly made up of the chemicals carbon and oxygen however some polymers also include oxygen, chlorine, fluorine, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, and sulfur. Polymers are made from monomers containing a double bond. A chemical reaction bonding monomers together to make a polymer is called polymerisation. A polymer can be formed in two ways. One formation is addition (a single product). This can be represented as A+A+A+A = A-A-A-A. Another formation is condensation. This occurs when a polymer and small molecule form, like water. There are both naturally occurring and synthetic polymers. Natural polymers include such things as tar and shellac. Synthetic polymers are produced commercially on a very large scale and have a wide range of properties and uses. The materials commonly called plastics are all synthetic polymers. All materials used in this experiment are synthetic.

Polymers are common