From Atoms to Materials

Snapshot polymerization 聚合作用 monomer 單體 polymer 聚合物 macromolecule 巨大分子 cocoon 繭 Language tip mono- prefix one; poly- prefix many Plastics are made by polymerization, in which many small molecules (monomers) join to form large molecules (polymers). The process shown in Fig. 13.35 is known as polymerization . In polymerization, many small molecules join together to form a huge molecule. The small molecules are known as monomers , and the large molecule formed is called the polymer . Similar to polythene, many other plastics are also made through polymerization of small molecules. In Fig. 13.35 on p. 91, the monomer is (a) , and the polymer is (b) . silk scarf silkworm silk cocoon cotton tree silkworm and silk cocoons* clothes made of cotton rubber tree rubber products Natural polymers Apart from plastics (man-made polymers), there are many natural polymers, e.g. rubber, starch, cotton and silk. Polymerization is a chemical change. monomers polymer polymerisation monomers polymer polymerisation monomers polymer polymerization many ethene molecules + + + + a polythene molecule 92 © United Prime Educational Publishing (HK) Limited 2024 All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced, photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Sample