AQA · GCSE · Chemistry
Course version: 8462 · Version from Sept 2018
The properties of polymers depend on what monomers they are made from and…
Full specification wording
Ceramics, polymers and composites: The properties of polymers depend on what monomers they are made from and the conditions under which they are made.
Polymers are large molecules built from many small monomer molecules joined together.
Checked against the AQA 8462 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 11
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Polymers are large molecules built from many small monomer molecules joined together. The identity of the monomer controls the chemical composition of the polymer chain, so different monomers give polymers with different properties. The conditions used during polymerisation, such as temperature, pressure and the presence of a catalyst, also affect how the chains form and pack together. Chains that are long, straight and closely packed give a denser, stronger, more rigid polymer with a higher softening temperature. Chains that are shorter or more branched pack less closely, giving a less dense, more flexible polymer with a lower softening temperature. Both factors therefore matter: what the monomer is and how the polymer is made.
What earns the marks
- Polymers are made from small monomer molecules that join together.
- The type of monomer determines the chemical composition of the polymer.
- The conditions of polymerisation include temperature, pressure and the use of a catalyst.
- Different conditions can produce polymers with different chain lengths, branching or packing.
- Chain length and packing affect properties such as density, strength, flexibility and softening temperature.
- A full answer refers to both the monomer used and the manufacturing conditions.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claiming that only the monomer determines the properties.
Put it right: The correct explanation also includes the conditions used during polymerisation.
Claiming that only the conditions determine the properties.
Put it right: The correct explanation also includes the identity of the monomer.
Confusing monomers with polymers by saying that monomers are large molecules.
Put it right: The correct description is that monomers are small molecules that join to form a large polymer.
Exam tips
- Use the phrase depends on both to signal that two factors are involved.
- Give a specific condition such as temperature, pressure or a catalyst rather than writing conditions in general terms.
- Link a structural feature such as chain length or branching to a named property such as density or flexibility.
Try the lesson
The start of the Ceramics, polymers and composites: The properties of polymers depend on what monomers they are made from and the conditions under which they are made. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
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Which two factors determine the properties of a polymer?
Listen
Polymers are large molecules built from many small monomer molecules joined together. The identity of the monomer controls the chemical composition of the polymer chain, so different monomers give polymers with different properties. The conditions used during polymerisation, such as temperature, pressure and the presence of a catalyst, also affect how the chains form and pack together. Chains that are long, straight and closely packed give a denser, stronger, more rigid polymer with a higher softening temperature. Chains that are shorter or more branched pack less closely, giving a less dense, more flexible polymer with a lower softening temperature. Both factors therefore matter: what the monomer is and how the polymer is made. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Polymers are made from small monomer molecules that join together. The type of monomer determines the chemical composition of the polymer. The conditions of polymerisation include temperature, pressure and the use of a catalyst. Different conditions can produce polymers with different chain lengths, branching or packing. Exam tip: Use the phrase depends on both to signal that two factors are involved.
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Key words
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Polymers
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Monomers and polymerisation
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Structure-property relationships
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Industrial conditions
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See every definition
- Polymers
- Large molecules built from many small monomer molecules joined together.
- Monomers and polymerisation
- Small molecules that join together to form a large polymer, and the process by which they join.
- Structure-property relationships
- Chains that are long, straight and closely packed give a denser, stronger, more rigid polymer with a higher softening temperature, while shorter or more branched chains pack less closely.
- Industrial conditions
- The conditions used during polymerisation, such as temperature, pressure and the presence of a catalyst, which affect how the chains form and pack together.
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