GCSE Chemistry Revision — Polymers & Polymerisation
Revise Polymers & Polymerisation for GCSE Chemistry with a topic explanation, worked example and common mistakes. Check the board notes for specification differences.
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What is Polymers & Polymerisation?
Polymerisation is the process of joining many small molecules, called monomers, together to form a very large molecule, called a polymer. Addition polymerisation involves unsaturated monomers (like alkenes) joining together, while condensation polymerisation involves the joining of monomers with the elimination of a small molecule, like water.
Board notes: Polymerisation is a major topic for all boards. You must understand addition polymerisation, including how to draw monomers and repeating units. Condensation polymerisation, including the formation of polyesters and polypeptides (proteins) from amino acids, is a higher-tier topic.
Step-by-step explanationWorked examples
Worked example
Poly(ethene) is formed by the addition polymerisation of ethene monomers. The double bonds in the ethene molecules break, and they join to form a long saturated chain. The repeating unit is -[CH₂-CH₂]-.
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Common mistakes
- 1Incorrectly drawing the repeating unit of an addition polymer. Remember to break the C=C double bond and show the single bonds extending out from the sides of the repeating unit.
- 2Confusing addition and condensation polymerisation. Addition polymerisation has one product, the polymer. Condensation polymerisation has two products: the polymer and a small molecule (e.g., water).
- 3Not being able to identify the monomer from the structure of a polymer.
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Frequently asked questions
What are biopolyesters?
Biopolyesters are a type of condensation polymer that are biodegradable. They are made from monomers that can be produced by plants or microorganisms.
What are amino acids?
Amino acids are the monomers that make up proteins, which are natural condensation polymers. They have two different functional groups: an amino group (-NH₂) and a carboxyl group (-COOH).