Natural and Synthetic like Polythene, Nylon, Polyesters, Bakelite, Rubber — Definition
Definition
Imagine tiny building blocks, each identical or very similar. Now, imagine linking thousands of these tiny blocks together in a long, repeating chain. That long chain is what we call a 'polymer,' and each tiny building block is a 'monomer.' The word 'poly' means many, and 'mer' means unit, so a polymer is simply 'many units.' The process of joining these monomers to form a polymer is known as 'polymerization.'
Polymers are all around us and are incredibly important, both in nature and in the products we use every day. We can broadly categorize them into two main types based on where they come from: natural polymers and synthetic polymers.
Natural Polymers: As the name suggests, these polymers are found in nature. They are produced by living organisms. A classic example is natural rubber, which comes from the latex of rubber trees.
Its monomer unit is isoprene. Other natural polymers include proteins (made of amino acid monomers), nucleic acids like DNA and RNA (made of nucleotide monomers), and carbohydrates like starch and cellulose (made of glucose monomers).
These natural polymers play vital roles in biological systems.
Synthetic Polymers: These are man-made polymers, created in laboratories and industrial settings. Scientists design and synthesize these polymers to have specific properties that are useful for various applications.
The polymers listed in our topic — polythene, nylon, polyesters, and Bakelite — are all prime examples of synthetic polymers. Each of these has a unique monomer or set of monomers and is formed through a specific type of polymerization reaction, leading to distinct properties and uses.
For instance, polythene is used in plastic bags, nylon in ropes and fabrics, polyesters in clothing and bottles, and Bakelite in electrical switches and handles. Understanding these fundamental distinctions and examples is the first step to mastering the fascinating world of polymers for your NEET preparation.