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General Chemistry 1
I. Introductory Concept
The uniqueness of carbon atom can be accounted due to the fact that
it can bond to another carbon atom to form different organic compounds.
Monomer, a molecule of any of a class of compounds, mostly organic, that
can react with other molecules to form very large molecules, or polymers. The
essential feature of a monomer is polyfunctionality, the capacity to form
chemical bonds to at least two other monomer molecules.
In this lesson, you will learn how to describe the formation and
structure of polymers.

II. Learning Competencies

At the end of this lesson, the learners should be able to:

Describe the formation and structure of polymers. (STEM_GC11OC-

IIg-j-91)

III. Activities
A. Engage
Polymers abound in nature. Almost all living organisms make and use
different polymers. The fabrics you are wearing, whether natural or
synthetic fibers like cotton or nylon, are all examples of an important class
of organic compounds called polymers.

B. Elicit
WORD SEARCH
Directions: In this word search, find polymer-related words as much as you
can. Write your answers in the allotted box below. Words appear straight
across, back word straight across, up and down, down and up, and
diagonally.

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C. Explore
Directions: Answer the following questions. Write the letter of the best
answer in your science notebook.
1. List some items made from polymeric materials that you frequently use.
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2. What are the common uses for these polymeric materials?
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3. Identify the structure and common applications of the given sets of
polymers.

POLYMER STRUCTURE APPLICATIONS

Polyethylene
Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
Polycarbonate
Polystyrene
Polyacrylamide
Polyurethane

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 D. Explain
Polymers are very large
organic compounds made of
many repeating units. The
term polymer comes from two
Greek roots, poly meaning
many and mer meaning part.
The repeating units in a
polymer are called monomers.
Each repeating unit is the “-
mer” or basic unit with “poly-
mer” meaning many repeating
units. Repeating units are
often made of carbon and
hydrogen and sometimes
oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, chlorine, fluorine, phosphorous, and silicon.

Polymer Formation

To make the chain, many links or “-mers” are chemically hooked or

polymerized together. Polymers are formed by two main ways called addition
and condensation polymerization.
In addition, polymerization, an initiator (or catalyst) reacts with a
starting monomer. The result of this initiation reaction is a monomer attached
to the initiator with an unsatisfied bond. The unsatisfied bond is free to react
with another monomer, thus adding to the chain. The process repeats over
and over again until two chains combine or another initiator binds to the end
of the chain, both of which will terminate the chain. Addition polymerization
can proceed almost indefinitely, uniting thousands and thousands of
monomers into a single, enormous molecule.
Polyethylene is one polymer formed by the addition polymerization. The
monomer of polyethylene is ethane (CH2=CH2), which form a chain of
thousands of –CH2- groups, each united by a single bond to the next.
Polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and Teflon are other polymers formed by
addition polymerization.

In condensation polymerization, a monomer with an exposed H

(hydrogen) atom binds with a monomer with exposed OH (oxygen-hydrogen)
atoms. During the reaction, water is released (compensated) as the H and OH
combine to form H2O (water). Monomers combine more slowly and in a
manner that is easier to regulate.

A protein is one example of a polymer formed by condensation

polymerization. The monomers of proteins are amino acids, which are
molecules with both acidic and basic ends. The acidic end of one amino acid
combines with the basic end of the next amino acid, releasing a molecule of

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water in the process. All of the important polymers in living organisms,
including DNA, proteins and the complex carbohydrates are made by
condensation polymerization. Nylon is a synthetic polymer made by this
method.

Basic Polymer Structure

There are four basic polymer structures which are shown in the figure
below. The four basic polymer structures are linear, branched, crosslinked,

and networked.
Diagrams of linear, branched, crosslinked, and networked polymer
structures.
Credit: Adapted from Fig. 4.7, Callister & Rethwisch 5e.

Linear polymers resemble ‘spaghetti’ with long chains. The long chains
are typically held together by the weaker van der Waals or hydrogen bonding.
Since these bonding types are relatively easy to break with heat, linear
polymers are typically thermoplastic. Heat breaks the bonds between the long
chains allowing the chains to flow past each other, allowing the material to be
remolded. Upon cooling the bonds between the long chains reform, i.e., the
polymer hardens.

Branched polymers resemble linear polymers with the addition of

shorter chains hanging from the spaghetti backbone. Since these shorter
chains can interfere with efficient packing of the polymers, branched polymers
tend to be less dense than similar linear polymers. Since the short chains do
not bridge from one longer backbone to another, heat will typically break the
bonds between the branched polymer chains and allow the polymer to be a
thermoplastic, although there are some very complex branched polymers that
resist this ‘melting’ and thus break up (becoming hard in the process) before
softening, i.e., they are thermosetting.

Crosslinked polymers resemble ladders. The chains link from one

backbone to another. So, unlike linear polymers which are held together by
weaker van der Waals forces, crosslinked polymers are tied together via
covalent bonding. This much stronger bond makes most crosslinked polymers
thermosetting, with only a few exceptions to the rule: crosslinked polymers
that happen to break their crosslinks at relatively low temperatures.

Networked polymers are complex polymers that are heavily linked to

form a complex network of three-dimensional linkages. These polymers are

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nearly impossible to soften when heating without degrading the underlying
polymer structure and are thus thermosetting polymers.

What are Copolymers?

Monomers do not have to be of

a single atom type, but when referring
to a specific monomer it is understood
to be of the same
composition structure. When
synthesizing a polymer from two
distinct starting monomers, those
polymers are referred to as
copolymers.

There are four several possible

structures, as shown in the figure
below. These basic structures
are random, alternating, block,
and graft. If the two monomers are
randomly ordered, then the copolymer
is referred to as a random copolymer.

In an alternating copolymer, each monomer is alternated with the other

to form an ABABABA… pattern.

In block copolymers, more complex repeating structures are possible,

for example AAABBBAAABBBAAA…

Graft copolymers are created by attaching chains of a second type of

monomer on the backbone chain of a first monomer type.

E. Elaborate

A polymer can be a three dimensional network (think of the repeating units

linked together left and right, front and back, up and down) or two-
dimensional network (think of the repeating units linked together left, right,
up, and down in a sheet) or a one-dimensional network (think of the repeating
units linked left and right in a chain).
Polymers occur in nature and can be made to serve specific needs. A
polymer can be a three dimensional network (think of the repeating units
linked together left and right, front and back, up and down) or two-
dimensional network (think of the repeating units linked together left, right,
up, and down in a sheet) or a one-dimensional network (think of the repeating
units linked left and right in a chain).

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 Manufactured polymers can be three-dimensional networks that do not
melt once formed. Such networks are called THERMOSET polymers. Epoxy
resins used in two-part adhesives are thermoset plastics. Manufactured
polymers can also be one-dimensional chains that can be melted. These
chains are THERMOPLASTIC polymers and are also called LINEAR polymers.
Plastic bottles, films, cups, and fibers are thermoplastic plastics.
Almost all living organisms make and use different polymers. Plants use
glucose as a monomer to form the polymers starch, an important food source,
and cellulose, an important structural compound in plants and the principal
component of paper. These glucose polymers are only one type of natural
polymer.
The ultimate natural polymers are the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and
ribonucleic acid (RNA) that define life. Different amino acids link together to
form proteins, which are also polymers. Depending on the sequence of amino
acids, the protein might be the hair on your head, a muscle in your arm, or
an enzyme that helps you to digest. Spider silk, hair, and horn are protein
polymers.
Rubber tree latex and cellulose have been used as raw material to make
manufactured polymeric rubber and plastics. The first synthetic
manufactured plastic was Bakelite, created in 1909 for telephone casing and
electrical components. The first manufactured polymeric fiber was Rayon,
from cellulose, in 1910. Nylon was invented in 1935 while pursuing a
synthetic spider silk.
F. Extend
Answer the following questions that follow:
1. What are the properties of some polymers?

2. What are the general characteristics of polymer molecules?

G. Evaluate
Directions: Read each question with comprehension. Answer the following
questions briefly. Write the letter of the best answer in your science notebook.
1. What is meant by the term "polymer"?

2. What are some of the polymers that you encounter every day?

3. Many polymers occur in nature. Name any two naturally occurring

polymers.

4. Why do different polymers have different properties?

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IV. Answer Key
Elicit

Explore
1. Polymers are used to make electronic components, paint, plastic
bottles, sunglass lenses, DVDs and so much more. Polymeric materials are
usually derived from petroleum or oil, but significant research is underway to
develop novel methods of producing these materials using renewable energy
sources.
Evaluate
1. A chain of repeating units called monomers that connected to each
other.

VI. Reflection
Complete the following statements below: Write your answers in your
science notebook.
I learned that:
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The most exciting part of the lesson is:

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I want to ask my teacher about:

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VII. References
A. Books:

RO_Science _Grade 11_Q2_LP 8

 o Lemay, E. (2002). Chemistry Connections to our Changing World.
New Jersey Glenview, Illinois. Pearson Prentice Hall, pp. 827-835
o Ilao, L. (2016). General Chemistry 1. Quezon City. REX Book
Store
B. Websites:
Accessed last August 12, 2020
o https://plastics.americanchemistry.com/plastics/The-Basics/
o http://www.wakegov.com/recycling/recycle/ftb/Documents/Le
sson%20Plans/Plastics_polymers_Rev.pdf
o https://www.e-education.psu.edu/matse81/node/2210
o https://www.e-education.psu.edu/matse81/node/2208
o https://www.teachengineering.org/lessons/view/csu_polymer_l
esson01

Development Team of SDO Camarines Norte

Writers
Karen Rose T. Odi
Rizal National High School
Joanna Marie Baptisma Villanueva
Vinzons Pilot High School

Editor/Reviewer
Mercie P. de Guzman
Rizal National High School

Consultant
Noel V. Ibis, PhD
Education Program Supervisor

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