To begin, polymers may be defined as substances that have repeating units and

high molecular weight. Polymerization is the joining together of many small

molecules to form very large ones with these repeating units.

A polymer is a giant molecule made up of a large number of repeating units

joined together by covalent bonds. The simple compounds from which polymers
are made are called monomers. The word polymer is derived from the Greek
words poly (many) and meros (parts).

Polymer molecules have molecular weight in the range of several thousands or

more, and therefore, are also referred to as macro molecules.

The number of repeating units in the polystyrene structure (1) is indi- cated by the
index n. This is known as the degree of polymerization (DP). It specifies the
length of the polymer chain. Oligomer is a very low molecular weight polymer
usually with less than 10 repeating units. The word oligomer is derived from the
Greek word oligos meaning a few. Oligomers exhibit different thermal and
mechanical properties com- pared to the corresponding high-molecular weight
polymer.
7. Organic or inorganic polymers

Organic polymers:are polymers with a skeletal structure that

include carbon atoms. mlike

Polyethylene
Polypropylene
Polyvinylalcohol
Polyamide
Polyester

Inorganic polymers:are polymers with a skeletal structure that does not

include carbon atoms like:

Polysilicon
Polysulphide S2− + n S → S2−n+1
Polyphosphazen