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What is the process of a monomer becoming a polymer called?

What is the process of a monomer becoming a polymer called?

polymerization, any process in which relatively small molecules, called monomers, combine chemically to produce a very large chainlike or network molecule, called a polymer.

What is it called when water is removed from monomers?

Hydrolysis. Polymers are broken down into monomers in a process known as hydrolysis, which means “to split water,” a reaction in which a water molecule is used during the breakdown. During these reactions, the polymer is broken into two components.

What is the process which removes water to make a polymer?

Dehydration means “removal of water” and synthesis means “to join together”. So in this process, two monomers are covalently bonded by the removal of a water molecule.

What is it called when you add water to split polymers?

Hydrolysis. Polymers are broken down into monomers in a process known as hydrolysis, which means “to split water,” a reaction in which a water molecule is used during the breakdown (Figure).

How are polyethylene monomers added to a polymer?

The polymer end–robbed of its hydrogen–easily forms a double bond with its adjacent carbon atom, and polymerization stops. Because every part of the ethylene monomer is included in the finished polymer, the free radical polymerization of polyethylene is referred to as an addition polymerization; the ethylene molecules are simply added together.

What happens to molecules during the polymerization process?

Polymerization is the process to create polymers. These polymers are then processed to make various kinds of plastic products. During polymerization, smaller molecules, called monomers or building blocks, are chemically combined to create larger molecules or a macromolecule. Hundreds of such macromolecules collectively form a polymer.

Where does the word monomer come from in chemistry?

The word monomer comes from mono- (one) and -mer (part). Monomers are small molecules which may be joined together in a repeating fashion to form more complex molecules called polymers.

What happens when a monomer joins with another monomer?

A monomer joins with another monomer with water molecule release, leading to a covalent bond forming. Scientists call these dehydration or condensation reactions. When polymers break down into smaller units (monomers), they use a water molecule for each bond broken by these reactions. Such reactions are hydrolysis reactions.