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🧪 Chemistry  ·  Polymers  ·  NEET & JEE

What is a polymer?

Answer: A large molecule made of repeating smaller units.

  • A A large molecule made of repeating smaller units
  • B A single small molecule with little repeating structural motif
  • C A compound formed mainly from metallic lattice bonding
  • D A compound held together largely by ionic attraction

Correct answer: A. A large molecule made of repeating smaller units

Explanation: Polymers are macromolecules composed of many repeating monomer units linked by covalent bonds.

Addition vs Condensation PolymerisationAddition (e.g. polythene)n (CH₂=CH₂)-[-CH₂-CH₂-]ₙ-No atoms lost - monomers just join at the double bondCondensation (e.g. Nylon-6,6)HOOC-R-COOH + H₂N-R'-NH₂-[-CO-R-CO-NH-R'-NH-]ₙ-+ n H₂OA small molecule (water here) is eliminated at EVERY linking step

Addition polymerisation simply links monomers containing a double bond with nothing left over, while condensation polymerisation joins two different monomers through a reaction (often forming an ester or amide bond) that releases a small molecule like water at each step.

Concept context

Large molecules made of repeating monomer units. Covers addition and condensation polymerisation, natural and synthetic polymers (nylon, PVC, Bakelite, natural rubber), and their real-world industrial applications.

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