Very large molecule made by joining together thousands of small identical molecules called monomers
Monomer
Small identical molecule that polymers are made from, often alkene molecules
Monomer
Ethene
Forming a polymer
Joining together thousands of monomer molecules
Polymer
Contains single carbon-carbon covalent bonds, unlike monomers which contain double carbon-carbon covalent bonds
Covalent bonds in polymers are extremely strong
Repeating unit
Shorthand way to represent a polymer, shows a single carbon-carbon covalent bond with the bonds extending out on either side, and the letter 'm' indicating a large number of repeating units
Most polymers are solids at room temperature
Polymers have strong intermolecular forces of attraction between molecules
It takes a lot of energy to break these forces, so polymers have a high melting point and are solids at room temperature
