Which statement best describes polymerisation?

Which statement best describes polymerisation?

• A. The joining up of lots of little molecules (monomers) to make one big molecule (polymer).
• B. Breaking polymers into monomers.
• C. The rearrangement of atoms within a single molecule.
• D. The addition of water to a polymer.

Answer: (A)

Polymerisation is the process of joining many small molecules called monomers to form one large molecule, a polymer. This happens when bonds are formed between monomers to build a long chain, which is the essence of polymer formation. The other statements describe different processes: breaking polymers into monomers is depolymerisation; rearranging atoms within a molecule is isomerisation; and adding water to a polymer is hydrolysis or hydration, not polymerisation. So the description that best fits polymerisation is the joining of lots of little molecules to make a big molecule.

Polymerisation is the process of joining many small molecules called monomers to form one large molecule, a polymer. This happens when bonds are formed between monomers to build a long chain, which is the essence of polymer formation. The other statements describe different processes: breaking polymers into monomers is depolymerisation; rearranging atoms within a molecule is isomerisation; and adding water to a polymer is hydrolysis or hydration, not polymerisation. So the description that best fits polymerisation is the joining of lots of little molecules to make a big molecule.