Meaning & use
polymers simple
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrasetechnicalchemistry
A simple explanation of polymers: large molecules made of many small repeating units joined together.
Grammar: This is a search phrase, not a standard term; in science writing use 'polymer' and explain it as a chain of monomers.
Patterns
- polymers simple definition
- simple explanation of polymers
For a simple definition, a polymer is a long molecule built from many small units called monomers.
In simple terms, polymers are like beads on a string, where each bead is a monomer.
The teacher gave a simple explanation of polymers using plastic and rubber as examples.
Common combinations
- simple polymer
- Polyethylene is a simple polymer made from repeating ethylene units.
- polymer chain
- A polymer chain can contain thousands of atoms.
- natural polymer
- Cellulose is a natural polymer found in plants.
- synthetic polymer
- Nylon is a synthetic polymer used in clothing.
Synonyms and how they differ
- macromolecule
- A broader term for any very large molecule; a polymer is a specific type of macromolecule made of repeating units.
- plastic
- A common everyday material that is often a polymer, but not all polymers are plastics.
Opposites
Word family
- polymer noun
- A large molecule made of many repeating small units.
- polymeric adjective
- Relating to or made of polymers.
- polymerize verb
- To combine small molecules into a polymer.
- polymerization noun
- The chemical process of forming a polymer.
Commonly confused: polymers simple or monomer?
polymers simple vs monomer
A monomer is a single small unit; a polymer is a long chain made of many monomers.
Practice
Which is the best simple definition of a polymer?
Choose one answer.
A polymer is a large molecule built from many repeating units called monomers. Option A describes a monomer, and C and D are unrelated materials.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “polymers simple”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.