Polymers are long-chained molecules formed by joining together monomers.

Monomers are small molecules that can join together to form a polymer.

The section of a polymer that repeats is known as the repeating unit.

Intermolecular forces are weak forces of attraction between molecules, and molecular substances.

Polymer structures

Combined science

Earth's resources and sustainable development

Fractional distillation of crude oil

Cracking fractions of crude oil

Developing a reactivity series for metals

Extraction of metals by reduction

Redox reactions

Alternative methods of extracting metals: phytoextraction and bioleaching

Life cycle assessments (LCAs)

In the Atmosphere and Changing Climate unit, pupils will build on their understanding of Earth's resources to learn about the evidence for the composition and evolution of the Earth's atmosphere and the impact of human activity on climate change.

In the Earth's Resources unit, pupils learned about the composition and structure of the Earth, and the rock cycle.

This unit covers crude oil, its role as a hydrocarbon source, and separation by fractional distillation. It explores cracking, metal reactivity, and extraction methods, including biological alternatives. Emphasis is on recycling, life-cycle assessments, and evaluating decisions.

Using Earth's resources

What is the key term used to describe the small molecules that can join together to form a polymer?

Which of the following is the term for the reaction that forms polymers from monomers?

large covalent molecules made of repeating units

Which of the following types of bond is found within the repeating units of a polymer formed from alkenes?

They have strong ionic bonds between the molecules.  

They have strong covalent bonds within the molecules.

The intermolecular forces between polymer molecules are relatively strong.

They have strong covalent bonds between the molecules.

Why are polymers solid at room temperature?

Which type of bond is present in alkenes that is **not** present in alkanes?

Which type of bond involves the sharing of electrons between atoms?

Which of the following is a simple covalent molecule?

Which of the following properties do simple covalent molecules have in common?

They have strong ionic bonds within the molecules.

Why do simple covalent molecules generally have low boiling points?

long–chained molecules formed by joining together small molecules

small molecules that can join together to form long–chained molecules

the process of small molecules joining to form long–chained molecules

Match the following key terms to their definition.

Polymer structures

Lesson outcome