This topic summary covers Topic Summary: Polymers within Polymers for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Polymers in Organic Chemistry for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 14 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 15 of 15 in this topic. Use this topic summary to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 15 of 15
Practice
20 questions
Recall
14 flashcards
Topic Summary: Polymers
Key Terms
- Monomer — small repeating unit
- Polymer — large molecule of monomers
- Addition polymerisation — alkenes, no by-product
- Condensation polymerisation — two functional groups, water released
Drawing Polymers
- Double bond → single bond
- Add continuation lines at ends
- Put in square brackets
- Add subscript n
Addition vs Condensation
- Addition: one product only (polymer)
- Condensation: polymer + H₂O
- Addition uses alkenes (C=C)
- Natural polymers = condensation
Exam Checklist
- Continuation lines = essential
- n subscript = must include
- Addition ≠ water released
- Not all polymers are plastics