Polymers - Key terms



ADDITION POLYMERIZATION:

A form of polymerization in which monomers having at least one double bond or triple bond simply add to one another, forming a polymer and no other products. Compare to condensation polymerization.

ALKENES:

Hydrocarbons that contain double bonds.

COPOLYMER:

A polymer composed of more than one type of monomer.

DIMER:

A molecule formed by the joining of two monomers.

DOUBLE BOND:

A form of bonding in which two atoms share two pairs of valence electrons. Carbon is noted for its ability to form double bonds, as for instance in many hydrocarbons.

FUNCTIONAL GROUPS:

An atom or group of atoms whose presence identifies a specific family of compounds. When combined with hydrocarbons, various functional groups form hydrocarbonderivatives.

HOMOPOLYMER:

A polymer that consists of only one type of monomer.

HYDROCARBON:

Any chemical compound whose molecules are made up of nothing but carbon and hydrogen atoms.

HYDROCARBON DERIVATIVES:

Families of compounds formed by the joining of hydrocarbons with various functional groups.

MONOMERS:

Small, individual subunits, often built of hydrocarbons, that join together to form polymers.

ORGANIC:

A term referring to any compound that contains carbon, except for oxides such as carbon dioxide, or carbonates such as calcium carbonate (i.e., limestone).

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY:

The study of carbon, its compounds, and their properties.

PLASTICS:

Materials, usually organic, that can be caused to flow under certain conditions of heat and pressure, and thus to assume a desired shape when the pressure and temperature conditions are withdrawn. Plastics are usually made up of polymers.

POLYMERIZATION:

The process whereby monomers join to form polymers.

POLYMERS:

Large, typically chain-like molecules composed of numerous smaller, repeating units known as monomers.

VALENCE ELECTRONS:

Electrons that occupy the highest principal energy level in an atom. These are the electrons involved in chemical bonding.

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