polymer definition chemistry

polymer definition: 1. a chemical substance consisting of large molecules made from many smaller and simpler molecules…. Learn a new word every day. Some plastics are stretched in processing to hold their shape, such as soft drink bottles. The higher the degree of crystallinity, generally, the less light can pass through the polymer. The majority of manufactured polymers are thermoplastic, meaning that once the polymer is formed it can be heated and reformed over and over again. Polymers are usually made of petroleum, but not always. PVC safely delivers flammable oxygen in non-burning flexible tubing. They are found widely in the natural world (e.g. An option for plastics that are not recycled, especially those that are soiled, such as used food wrap or diapers, can be a waste-to-energy system (WTE). The polymers are defined as macromolecules composed of one or more chemical units (monomers) that are repeated throughout a chain.. A polymer is like a thread joins many coins punched through the center, in the end we get a string of coins, the coins would be the monomers, and the chain with the coins would be the polymer. Here you’ll learn the definition and properties of polymers, another name for plastics. Because of the nature of carbon, one or more other atoms can be attached to each carbon atom in the backbone. Polymer physical chemistry deals with both the macroscopic properties, dictated by global features of chain connectivity and interactions, and the phe-nomenological parameters, dictated by the local details. 1  United States Environmental Protection Agency, “Municipal Solid Waste in the United States, 2005 Facts and Figures, EPA530-R-06-011, October 2006 Polymers can be used to make items that have no alternatives from other materials. Polymers are substances composed of macromolecules, very large molecules with molecular weights ranging from a few thousand to as high as millions of grams/mole. Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words? From the Cambridge English Corpus. And yard trimmings constituted 13.1 percent of municipal solid waste by weight. … – A free PowerPoint PPT presentation (displayed as a Flash slide show) on PowerShow.com - … This shows how the chemical composition of a polymer consists of many smaller units (monomers) bonded together into a larger molecule. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Polymer - definition and classification of polymers. There are also some polymers that, instead of having a carbon backbone, have a silicon or phosphorous backbone. Monomers bind to other monomers to form repeating chain molecules through a process known as polymerization. mer (pŏl′ə-mər) n. Any of numerous natural and synthetic compounds of usually high molecular weight consisting of up to millions of repeated linked units, each a relatively light and simple molecule. Some polymers float in water while others sink. Polymers occur in nature and can be made to serve specific needs. Some plastics have always been made from renewable materials such as cellulose acetate used for screwdriver handles and gift ribbon. Glass and metals made up 12.8 percent by weight. To make the chain, many links or “-mers” are chemically hooked or polymerized together. As we move forward in our series on the importance of the 2016 TSCA amendments, the next chemical we are going to focus on is one that you may be somewhat familiar with, formaldehyde. Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way. What are polymers? Repeating units are often made of carbon and hydrogen and sometimes oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, chlorine, fluorine, phosphorous, and silicon. A polymer is a molecule, made from joining together many small molecules called monomers. Chemistry for Kids / Science Courses Course Navigator ... You'll learn the definition of the term 'polymer,' and we'll look at examples of man-made and natural polymers. They do not biodegrade under other circumstances. A blog of the American Chemistry Council: driving innovation, creating jobs, and enhancing safety. On the other hand, glass, aluminum and other metals do not release any energy when burned. Commercial composters are suggested for compostable plastics. Accessed 23 Dec. 2020. "Definition of Terms Relating to Individual Macromolecules, Their Assemblies, and Dilute Solutions", Commission on Macromolecular Nomenclature, Macromolecular Division, International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Pure and Appl. Extrusion produces thin fibers or heavy pipes or films or food bottles. Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible). Polymer definition: A polymer is a chemical compound with large molecules made of many smaller molecules of... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples The simplest definition of a polymer is a useful chemical made of many repeating units. 'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'? Plastics can be molded into drums or be mixed with solvents to become adhesives or paints. 'Nip it in the butt' or 'Nip it in the bud'. These materials have so many varied characteristics and applications that their usefulness can only be measured by our imagination. How those smaller units are arranged within the polymer is an issue we haven't addressed very closely yet. Many polymers are made of repeat units derived from natural gas or coal or crude oil. The terminal functional groups on a chain remain active, so that groups of shorter chains combine into longer chains in the late stages of polymerization. A macromolecule is a molecule of high relative molecular mass, the structure of which essentially comprises the multiple repetition of units derived, actually or conceptually, from molecules of low relative molecular mass. The ACC mark, Responsible Care®, the hands logo trademark, CHEMTREC®, TRANSCAER®, and americanchemistry.com are registered service marks of the American Chemistry Council, Inc. Future of Stem Scholars Initiative (FOSSI), Center for Endocrine Screening and Testing, North American Modern Building Alliance (NAMBA), Plastics Foodservice Packaging Group (PFPG), Formaldehyde and the Need for Best Available Science. By definition, a crystalline arrangement has atoms, ions, or in this case, molecules arranged in distinct patterns. The ultimate natural polymers are the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) that define life. Polyethylene is considered to be as one of the simplest polymer, it has ethene or ethylene as the monomer unit whereas the linear polymer is known as the high density polyethylene-HDPE. Polymers are materials with a seemingly limitless range of characteristics and colors. Polymers can be very resistant to chemicals. These monomers (the starting materials) are often alkenes.. Polymers are versatile substances, having the various properties of flexibility, lightness, hardness, and durability. Teflon has fluorine attached to the all-carbon backbone. Because the molecules consist of many monomers, polymers tend to have high molecular masses. Many common classes of polymers are composed of hydrocarbons, compounds of carbon and hydrogen. He's making a quiz, and checking it twice... Test your knowledge of the words of the year. Such networks are called THERMOSET polymers. Epoxy resins used in two-part adhesives are thermoset plastics. proteins, rubber, cellulose) and, increasingly the past century, in synthetic form (e.g. When enough used plastic items can be gathered together, companies develop technology to recycle those used plastics. Polymers can also make possible products that do not readily come from the natural world, such as clear sheets and flexible films. When localities decide to use waste-to-energy systems to manage solid waste, plastics can be a useful component. Other common manufactured polymers have backbones that include elements other than carbon. ACC's member companies are joining the fight against COVID 19. Polymers are those which consists of repeated structural units known as monomers. Manufacturers and processors introduce various fillers, reinforcements and additives into the base polymers, expanding product possibilities. Polymers make up many of the materials in living organisms, including, for example, proteins, cellulose, and nucleic acids. Every polymer has very distinct characteristics, but most polymers have the following general attributes. Scientists and engineers are always producing more useful materials by manipulating the molecular structure that affects the final polymer produced. Paper also produces heat when burned, but not as much as do plastics. Plastics can also be safely land filled, although the valuable energy resource of the plastics would then be lost for recycling or energy capture. Applications for recycled plastics are growing every day. The business of chemistry provides 544,000 skilled, good-paying American jobs. Injection molding can produce very intricate parts or large car body panels. Controlling the polymerization process and quenching molten polymers can result in amorphous organization. polymer. This exercise illustrates that the by-products of incomplete burning are still flammable. The small molecules which are used in synthesizing a polymer is called as monomer. Polymers are long chain macromolecules built from repeated smaller chemical structures or '-mers.' Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has chlorine attached to the all-carbon backbone. These are similar to how linear polymers can be arranged if they lack specific order, or are amorphous. 2  American Chemistry Council, “2005 National Post-Consumer Plastics Bottle Recycling Report”. Think of how spaghetti noodles look on a plate. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! Manufactured polymers can be three-dimensional networks that do not melt once formed. View the list of the American Chemistry Council's main media contacts. Polymers can be made into clear, waterproof films. In 20051, composting processed 8.4% of US municipal solid waste. Reviews. However, other materials such as glass, paper, or aluminum do not readily decompose in landfills either. The simplest definition of a polymer is long chain formed by joining many smaller molecules, called monomers [source: Larsen]. Polymer chemistry is the study and manipulation of synthetic and organic chemical substances known as polymers. A polymer is basically synthesized by joining small molecules or substances into a single giant molecule by a chemical process. Products from Oil. 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). Recycled plastics are used to make polymeric timbers for use in picnic tables, fences and outdoor playgrounds, thus providing low maintenance, no splinters products and saving natural lumber. For 20051 the EPA characterization of municipal solid waste before recycling for the United States showed plastics made up 11.8 percent of our trash by weight compared to paper that constituted 34.2 percent. What made you want to look up polymer? The slime you make in that project is an interesting type of polymer that is stretchy but can also break if … Delivered to your inbox! Let's take a look at the topology of polymers. A walk through your house will reinforce this concept, as you consider all the appliances, cords, electrical outlets and wiring that are made or covered with polymeric materials. Generally, polymers are very light in weight with significant degrees of strength. View our resource center to find press releases, testimonies, infographics and more. The thermal underwear that many skiers wear is made of polypropylene and the fiberfill in winter jackets is acrylic and polyester. Linking countless strips of construction paper together to make paper garlands or hooking together hundreds of paper clips to form chains, or stringing beads helps visualize polymers. And anti-thrombogenic material, such as heparin, can be incorporated into flexible PVC catheters for open heart surgery, dialysis, and blood collection. PVC is used to make medical tubing and blood bags that extend the shelf life of blood and blood products. The polymer chains in objects that are translucent and opaque may be in a crystalline arrangement. Formaldehyde is a critical building block chemical, but you may have heard mixed messages about this chemical compound. Synthetic polymers are those which are human-made polymers. Thermal resistance is evident in the kitchen with pot and pan handles made of polymers, the coffee pot handles, the foam core of refrigerators and freezers, insulated cups, coolers, and microwave cookware. Polymers have many inherent properties that can be further enhanced by a wide range of additives to broaden their uses and applications. Polymers can be both thermal and electrical insulators. "plastics"). The monomer molecules may be all alike, or they may represent two, three, or more different compounds. These chains are THERMOPLASTIC polymers and are also called LINEAR polymers. The facility includes 24 3D printers, which create, China is the world’s largest producer of polypropylene, Cuprous oxide particles are bound together with polyurethane, a, Afterward, the glass is rinsed, and the exterior is given a, Numerous variations of this type of sling are available: padded and unpadded, metal or, The company's new production facility in Huntington Beach is filled with large saltwater tanks that recreate ocean conditions, allowing the organisms to replicate the process of making the, This high-strength sealer isn’t paint, but a polyester-, After 2,000 cycles, the electrode with this, Post the Definition of polymer to Facebook, Share the Definition of polymer on Twitter. Each repeating unit is the “-mer” or basic unit with “poly-mer” meaning many repeating units. See more. Some polymers, like cellulose, occur naturally, while others, like nylon, are artificial. The Chemical Products and Technology Division (CPTD) represents more than 80 self-funded, chemical-specific groups focused on the business of chemistry. Some polymers have cross-links between polymer chains creating three-dimensional networks. Compostable plastics frequently require more intense conditions to decompose than are available in backyard compost piles. Polymers are very large molecules (sometimes called macromolecules). The recycling rate for all plastics is not as high as any would want. [Greek polumerēs, consisting of many parts : polu-, poly- + meros, part; see (s)mer- in Indo-European roots.] Nylon was invented in 1935 while pursuing a synthetic spider silk. While a paper chain presents a simple image of a polymer, in practical applications, polymers have much greater uses. Starch can be a polymer as is cellulose in wood. Many medical devices rely on polymers to permit effective functioning. See the full definition for polymer in the English Language Learners Dictionary, Nglish: Translation of polymer for Spanish Speakers, Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about polymer. While solvents easily dissolve some plastics, other plastics provide safe, non-breakable packages for aggressive solvents. These are considered inorganic polymers. Polymer chemistry is an example of applied organic chemistry. Wikipedia. Learn more. Since the readership of Polymer Chemistry is wide ranging, it is essential that the Review is easily comprehensible to a non-specialist in the field. 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 … “Polymer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polymer. The Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act updated TSCA to protect Americans' health and our environment, and supports economic growth and manufacturing in the U.S. ©2005-2020 American Chemistry Council, Inc. For example, a liquid polymer (where the chains are freely flowing) can be turned into a solid or gel by cross-linking the chains together. Closed loop recycling does occur, but sometimes the most valuable use for a recycled plastic is into an application different than the original use. In addressing all the superior attributes of polymers, it is equally important to discuss some of the challenges associated with the materials. Send us feedback. Therefore, the degree of translucence or opaqueness of the polymer can be directly affected by its crystallinity. liquid polymer. Proper incineration burns the material and the by-products of the initial burning and also takes care of air and solid emissions to insure public safety. A large molecule consisting of chains or rings of linked monomer units, usually characterized by high melting and boiling points. Some bioplastics do decompose to carbon dioxide and water, however, in specially designed food waste commercial composting facilities ONLY. Plastics are used to line landfills so that leachate is captured and groundwater is not polluted. Polymerization, any process in which relatively small molecules, called monomers, combine chemically to produce a very large chainlike or network molecule, called a polymer. Polymers are long chain molecules that occur naturally in living things and can also be made by chemical processes in industry. Connectivity leads to long-range spatial correlations among Polymers affect every day of our life. Reading the warning labels that describe what happens when the chemical comes in contact with skin or eyes or is ingested will emphasize the need for chemical resistance in the plastic packaging. Monomers may be either natural or synthetic in origin. Amorphous polymers are generally transparent. The IUPAC Gold Book definition of a macromolecule is: “A molecule of high relative molecular mass, the structure of which essentially comprises the multiple repetition of units derived, actually or conceptually, from molecules of low … How to use addition polymer in a sentence. A high density of cross-linking restricts the motion of the chains and leads to a rigid material. What is a Polymer?. An amorphous arrangement of molecules has no long-range order or form in which the polymer chains arrange themselves. The first synthetic manufactured plastic was Bakelite, created in 1909 for telephone casing and electrical components. Consider all the cleaning fluids in your home that are packaged in plastic. Polymer, any of a class of natural or synthetic substances composed of very large molecules, called macromolecules, that are multiples of simpler chemical units called monomers. Elastomers and some plastics stretch and are very flexible. Most plastics deteriorate in full sunlight, but never decompose completely when buried in landfills. Polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polystyrene and polymethylpentene are examples of these. Rubber tree latex and cellulose have been used as raw material to make manufactured polymeric rubber and plastics. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'polymer.' You generally think of crystalline structures in table salt and gemstones, but they can occur in plastics. Spider silk, hair, and horn are protein polymers. Polyme… Definition of polymer : a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating structural units Other Words from polymer Example Sentences Learn More about polymer Other Words from polymer But, the recycling rate for the 1,170,000,000 pounds of polyester bottles, 23.1%, recycled in 2005 and the 953,000,000 pounds of high density polyethylene bottles, 28.8%, recycled in 2005 show that when critical mass of defined material is available, recycling can be a commercial success2. Into the base polymers, and durability Division ( CPTD ) represents more than 80 self-funded, chemical-specific groups on. Synthetic form ( e.g a larger molecule engineers are always producing more materials. Block chemical, but not melt or '-mers. acid ( RNA ) that define.! Help stabilize the ground so that leachate is captured and groundwater is not as high as any would.. 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