Which of the following statements is correct about polymers?...

Which of the following statements is correct about polymers? (1) Polymers are substances made up of recurring structural units, each of which can be regarded as derived from a specific compound called a monomer (2) Polymers made from a single monomeric species are called homopolymers, whereas, those made up of two or more different monomeric species are called copolymers. (3) Very often, polymers are macromolecules, and a sample of a given polymer is characteristically a mixture of molecules with different molecular weights (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 1,2 and 3 (d) 2 only

Which of the following statements is correct about polymers?
(1) Polymers are substances made up of recurring structural units, each of which can be regarded as derived from a specific compound called a monomer
(2) Polymers made from a single monomeric species are called homopolymers, whereas, those made up of two or more different monomeric species are called copolymers.
(3) Very often, polymers are macromolecules, and a sample of a given polymer is characteristically a mixture of molecules with different molecular weights
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 1,2 and 3
(d) 2 only

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Key Concepts

Polymers

Polymers are large molecules composed of repeating structural units. These repeating units, also referred to as monomeric units, are covalently bonded to form long chains or networks. The properties of a polymer depend on the structure, length, and arrangement of these repeating units.

Monomers

Monomers are the small, reactive molecules that serve as the building blocks for polymers. Through chemical reactions such as addition or condensation polymerization, monomers link together to form polymer chains. Each monomer contributes specific characteristics to the overall polymer structure.

Classification of Polymers

Polymers can be classified based on the variety of monomers that compose them. Homopolymers are made from a single type of monomer, while copolymers consist of two or more different monomeric species. This classification influences the polymer’s properties and potential applications.

Macromolecular Nature and Polydispersity

Many polymers are macromolecules, meaning they have very high molecular weights due to long chains of monomer units. In practice, a polymer sample is typically a mixture of molecules with varying chain lengths and molecular weights, a characteristic known as polydispersity. This diversity can affect the physical and mechanical properties of the polymer.

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