bonding in polymers

• Polymer


  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