MONO = one, POLY = many — like Monopoly! The board game Monopoly means "one seller" — mono (one) + poly (many properties, wait that doesn't quite work, but the mono/poly part sticks!). Monomer = one unit, Polymer = many units.
Addition polymerisation = ADD everything together: In addition polymerisation, ALL atoms are added into the chain — nothing is lost. All atoms from the monomers end up in the polymer.
Naming polymers: "poly" brackets + monomer name. Ethene → poly(ethene). Propene → poly(propene). If you forget which comes first, remember you ADD the poly AT THE START.
Drawing repeat units in exams: Start from the monomer (CH₂=CH₂), change the double bond to single (CH₂-CH₂), put brackets around it, and add little bonds sticking out at each end (—[CH₂-CH₂]ₙ—).
This memory aid covers Memory Aids within Polymers for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Polymers in Bonding & Structure for GCSE Chemistry with 22 exam-style questions and 21 flashcards. Use this page as part of a wider topic revision path rather than treating it as an isolated fact. It is section 9 of 12 in this topic. Use it for quick recall, then test yourself straight afterwards so the memory aid becomes usable in an answer.
Practice questions for Polymers
In addition polymerisation, what feature of monomer molecules allows them to join together?
Explain why thermosetting polymers are rigid and do not melt when heated.