22-Sep-08 (Created: 22-Sep-08) | More in 'chemistry in society'

12 What is a Polymer?

Materials like Nylon and Plastic are called Polymers. Polymers have their molecular structure arranged into long connecting chains like a long train with attached trailers. This chaining gives them their strength.

The "Poly" in polymer stands for "many" implying the many connections that are there between its molecular or atomic structures.

Carbon is an important element of polymers.