what is polymer?
a chain of repeating compounds found in both natural and synthetic materials
a natural resource formed on earth from plant or animal remains
a natural resource that has been broken down before it is recycled into new materials
a natural resource used to make synthetic mairals
Polymer refers to a chain of repeating compounds found in both natural and synthetic materials.
Polymer is a chain of repeating compounds found in both natural and synthetic materials.
The correct answer is: a chain of repeating compounds found in both natural and synthetic materials.
Polymers are large molecules made up of repeating subunits called monomers. These monomers can be found in both natural and synthetic materials. Natural polymers are derived from plant or animal sources, such as cellulose from plants or proteins from animals. Synthetic polymers, on the other hand, are man-made and are created through chemical processes.
To determine the correct answer, we can reason through the options:
- Option 1: "A chain of repeating compounds found in both natural and synthetic materials" matches the definition of a polymer. It describes the main characteristic of a polymer, which is the repeated arrangement of monomers in a chain-like structure.
- Option 2: "A natural resource formed on earth from plant or animal remains" doesn't accurately describe polymers. While natural polymers can be derived from plant or animal sources, the definition of a polymer itself is not dependent on its formation as a natural resource.
- Option 3: "A natural resource that has been broken down before it is recycled into new materials" is not an accurate description of polymers. While polymers can be recycled and repurposed, the definition of a polymer is not related to the recycling process.
- Option 4: "A natural resource used to make synthetic materials" is partially correct, as synthetic polymers are made from natural resources, such as oil or natural gas. However, it doesn't mention that polymers are also found in natural materials and doesn't cover the full definition of a polymer.
By analyzing the options and their descriptions, it becomes clear that Option 1 is the most accurate definition of a polymer.