Q. What is polymers?
The term "polymer" is derived from the two Greek words: poly, meaning "many", and meros meaning "parts" or "units". Thus polymers are composed of a large number of repeating units (small molecules) called monomers. A polymer is, therefore, made up of thousands of monomers joined together to form a large molecules of colloidal dimension, called macromolecules. The unique characteristic of a polymer is that each molecule is either a long chain or network of repeating units all covalently bonded together. Polymer molecular materials and are generally non-crystalline solids at ordinary temperature, but pass through a viscous stage in course of their formation when, shaping is readily carried out.
The most common polymers are those made from compounds of carbon, but polymers can also be made from inorganic chemicals such as silicates and silicones. The naturally occurring polymer include: protein, cellulose, resins, starch, shellac and lignin. They are commonly found in leather, fur, wool, cotton, silk, rubber, rope, wood, and many others. There are also synthetic polymers such as polyethylene, polystyrene, nylon, Terylene,etc..