IB Chemistry Topic S2.4.4 Polymers Revision Notes…

Polymers: Macromolecules Built from Repeating Monomers

Analogy

Consider the plastic water bottle in your hand or the rubber soles of your shoes.
These everyday materials owe their incredible versatility to polymers: large molecules made of repeating subunits called monomers.
But why are polymers so important?
And how does their structure influence their properties?

What Are Polymers?

Definition

Polymers

Polymers are large molecules composed of repeating structural units called monomers, linked together by covalent bonds to form long chains.

Polymers are macromolecules, meaning they consist of thousands, or even millions, of atoms bonded together in a repeating structure.
Each polymer is made up of smaller units called monomers that are chemically bonded to form long chains.

Examples of Polymers

Natural Polymers:
1. Cellulose: Found in plants, providing structural support.
2. Proteins: Made of amino acids, responsible for countless biological functions.
3. Natural Rubber: Harvested from rubber trees.
Synthetic Polymers:
1. Polyethylene (PE): Found in plastic bags and bottles.
2. Polypropylene (PP): Used in food containers and automotive parts.
3. Polystyrene (PS): Commonly used in packaging and insulation.

Example

Natural rubber is an example of a polymer formed from the monomer isoprene, while synthetic polymers like polyethylene are made by polymerizing ethene molecules.

Active recall

What is a monomer, and how does it relate to a polymer?
What does it mean to call a polymer a macromolecule?
Give one example each of a natural and a synthetic polymer.

Polymers: Macromolecules Built from Repeating Monomers

Analogy

Consider the plastic water bottle in your hand or the rubber soles of your shoes.
These everyday materials owe their incredible versatility to polymers: large molecules made of repeating subunits called monomers.
But why are polymers so important?
And how does their structure influence their properties?

What Are Polymers?

Definition

Polymers

Polymers are large molecules composed of repeating structural units called monomers, linked together by covalent bonds to form long chains.

Polymers are macromolecules, meaning they consist of thousands, or even millions, of atoms bonded together in a repeating structure.
Each polymer is made up of smaller units called monomers that are chemically bonded to form long chains.

Examples of Polymers

Natural Polymers:
1. Cellulose: Found in plants, providing structural support.
2. Proteins: Made of amino acids, responsible for countless biological functions.
3. Natural Rubber: Harvested from rubber trees.
Synthetic Polymers:
1. Polyethylene (PE): Found in plastic bags and bottles.
2. Polypropylene (PP): Used in food containers and automotive parts.
3. Polystyrene (PS): Commonly used in packaging and insulation.

Example

Natural rubber is an example of a polymer formed from the monomer isoprene, while synthetic polymers like polyethylene are made by polymerizing ethene molecules.

Active recall

What is a monomer, and how does it relate to a polymer?
What does it mean to call a polymer a macromolecule?
Give one example each of a natural and a synthetic polymer.

IB Chemistry S2.4.4 Polymers Notes

IB Chemistry S2.4.4 Polymers Notes

Polymers: Macromolecules Built from Repeating Monomers

What Are Polymers?

Examples of Polymers

Polymers: Macromolecules Built from Repeating Monomers

What Are Polymers?

Examples of Polymers

IB Chemistry S2.4.4 Polymers Notes

Structure 1. Models of the particulate nature of matter

Structure 2. Models of bonding and structure

Structure 3. Classification of matter

Reactivity 1. What drives chemical reactions?

Reactivity 2. How much, how fast and how far?

Reactivity 3. What are the mechanisms of chemical change?

IB Chemistry S2.4.4 Polymers Notes

Structure 1. Models of the particulate nature of matter

Structure 2. Models of bonding and structure

Structure 3. Classification of matter

Reactivity 1. What drives chemical reactions?

Reactivity 2. How much, how fast and how far?

Reactivity 3. What are the mechanisms of chemical change?

Polymers: Macromolecules Built from Repeating Monomers

What Are Polymers?

Examples of Polymers

Polymers: Macromolecules Built from Repeating Monomers

What Are Polymers?

Examples of Polymers