FORM 5 CHEMISTRY

Chapter 4 : Polymer

4.1 : Polymer

1. Polymer is a long chain molecule that is made from a combination of many repeating basic units.

2. The basic unit of a polymer is known as monomer.

3. The monomer combination reaction to produce a polymer is called polymerisation reaction.

4. Polymers can be classified into several groups based on the source of the polymer, how the polymer is produced
and the characteristics of the polymer produced.

Source of Polymers

1. Polymers can either be natural polymers or synthetic polymers.

2. Natural polymers are polymers that are naturally available and can be obtained from our surroundings.

3. Examples of natural polymers are starch, protein and cotton.

4. Synthetic polymers, on the other hand, are man-made through chemical reactions in laboratories or factories.

5. Nylon, polyethene, polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are examples of synthetic polymers that are
manufactured in the industrial sector.

Examples of the Names of Polymers and Monomers

Types of Polymers

• Thermoplastic polymers are polymers that can be repeatedly remoulded

upon heating and can be recycled.
• When heated, the thermoplastic polymers melt and solidify when they are
cooled.
• Example: polyethene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nylon.

All right reserved. No part of the module may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, either by
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the authors of KRflix Academy. 1
 • Thermosetting polymers cannot be remoulded after heating.
• Thermosetting polymers normally disintegrate or burn upon heating and
cannot be recycled.
• Example: melamine, bakelite.

• Elastomer polymers can be stretched and can return to their original shape
when released.
• Possess high elasticity properties.
• Example: polyurethane, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR).

Polymerisation Reaction

Polymerisation reactions can be divided into two types: addition polymerisation and condensation polymerisation.

Addition Polymerisation

1. Addition polymerisation occurs when monomers that have double covalent bonds between two carbon atoms, C C
react with one another.

2. Examples of polymers that are produced through addition polymerisations:

All right reserved. No part of the module may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, either by
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the authors of KRflix Academy. 2
 3. During the reaction, the double bond is “opened” and monomers are “added” to the molecule chain to produce a
polymer.

Condensation Polymerisation

1. Condensation polymerisation involves at least two different monomers.

2. The monomers involved consist of two functional groups that will take part in the polymerisation reaction.

3. The product of condensation polymerisation is a polymer and another by-product such as water or HCl molecule.

4. Condensation polymerisation reaction to produce terylene, a type of polyester, and nylon, a type of polyamide.

The Use of Polymer in Daily Life

All right reserved. No part of the module may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, either by
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the authors of KRflix Academy. 3
 1. Synthetic polymers are used in various aspects of life as they possess properties that cannot be found in natural
polymers, such as:

a) Good insulator of heat

b) Inert and unreactive
c) Resistant to high heat
d) Lightweight, strong and hard
e) Characteristics of synthetic polymers

2. Uses of synthetic polymers:

a) Various medical and laboratory apparatus are made of polypropene.

b) Polyethene is widely used as plastic bags.
c) Nylon produces threads that are important for the textile industry.
d) Layering of acrylic polymer for roof waterproofing.

Polymers and the Environment

1. Diverse properties that can be found in polymers increase their demands and uses over the years.

2. Some polymers are durable and take a very long time to disintegrate that cause serious pollution problems.

3. Marine pollution causes many creatures to die and microplastics to enter the food chain.

4. Landfills, on the other hand, are filled with non-biodegradable plastic bags that affect the environment.

5. In line with the advancement of science and Green Technology, various methods have been introduced to ensure
more sustainable use of polymers.

6. Recycling is the easiest way for consumers to ensure that synthetic polymers do not end up in landfills.

7. The introduction of degradable polymers, particularly for plastic products, enables pollution to be reduced. Additives
are added to enable plastics to decompose naturally by bacteria (biodegradable) or decompose by light
(photodegradable).

8. Plastic products will decompose faster and this will reduce the plastic dumping issue in landfills that will essentially
be safer for the wildlife.

All right reserved. No part of the module may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, either by
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the authors of KRflix Academy. 4