Polymer
POL-i-mer
/ˈpɒlɪmər/
A substance or material consisting of very large molecules, or macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits (monomers).
Polymers are characterized by their long, chain-like structures, which give them unique physical properties like elasticity, strength, and flexibility.
The story behind the word. The term 'polymer' was coined in 1833 by the Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius. It comes from the Greek words 'polys,' meaning 'many,' and 'meros,' meaning 'part.' This etymology perfectly describes a polymer as a substance made of 'many parts' or 'many units' linked together to form a large molecule. Berzelius used it to distinguish compounds with the same empirical formula but different molecular weights.
Word relationships
- macromolecule: A very large molecule; a polymer is a specific type of macromolecule made of repeating units.
- plastic: A common type of synthetic polymer, but not all polymers are plastics.
Commonly confused with
- Monomer: A monomer is a single, repeating unit that makes up a polymer; a polymer is the long chain formed by many monomers.
Word family
- polymeric (adjective): Relating to or consisting of polymers.
- polymerize (verb): To undergo or cause to undergo polymerization (formation of a polymer).
Collocations
- synthetic polymer
- natural polymer
- polymer chain
- polymer science
Example sentences
- "Polyethylene, a common plastic, is a synthetic polymer made from repeating ethylene units." Explaining the nature of plastics.
- "DNA and proteins are natural polymers essential for life." Referring to biological materials.
- "The development of new polymers has revolutionized industries from packaging to aerospace." Discussing material science.
Memory hook
Think of 'POLY-mer' as 'POLY' (many) 'MER' (parts), like many beads on a string. POLY-mer: many parts
When not to use
Do not use 'polymer' for any large molecule; it specifically refers to macromolecules made of repeating monomer units.
Fun facts
- Natural polymers include cellulose (in plants), silk, wool, rubber, and the nucleic acids DNA and RNA.
- The development of synthetic polymers like nylon and Teflon revolutionized many industries in the 20th century.
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