What is the relationship between a polymer and a monomer
A polymer is composed of monomers, which are small repeating units. The relationship between a polymer and a monomer is that a polymer is formed by combining multiple monomers through a chemical process called polymerization.
To understand this in more detail, let's break it down step by step:
1. Monomers: Monomers are small, individual molecules that have the ability to bond with each other in a repeating pattern. They are the building blocks of polymers. For example, in the case of polyethylene, the monomer is ethylene (CH2=CH2).
2. Polymerization: Polymerization is the chemical process in which monomers are joined together to form a larger molecule called a polymer. There are two major types of polymerization: addition polymerization and condensation polymerization.
- In addition polymerization, monomers are added to the growing polymer chain without the elimination of any byproducts. This process typically involves the use of catalysts and occurs under specific conditions such as heat or pressure. For instance, in the case of polyethylene, many ethylene monomers (CH2=CH2) react with each other in the presence of a catalyst to form a long chain polymer.
- In condensation polymerization, monomers react with the elimination of small molecules such as water or alcohol. This process occurs through the interaction of functional groups present in the monomers. For example, in the case of nylon, two different monomers containing amine (-NH2) and carboxylic acid (-COOH) groups undergo condensation reactions, leading to the formation of a polymer with repeating amide (-CONH-) groups.
3. Polymer: A polymer is a macromolecule consisting of a large number of repeating monomer units that have undergone polymerization. Polymers can vary in size, structure, and properties depending on the specific monomers used and the conditions of polymerization.
In summary, a polymer is formed by connecting multiple monomers through polymerization. Monomers are the building blocks of polymers, and their repetitive arrangement gives rise to the unique properties of different types of polymers.