How Do We Name and Show the Structure of a Polymer

In polymer chemistry, the term plastic refers to any polymer that can be molded when hot and that retains its shape when cooled. Thermoplastics are polymers which, when melted, become sufficiently fluid that they can be molded into shapes that are retained when they are cooled. Thermosetting plastics, or thermosets, can be molded when they are 

The single most important property of polymers at the molecular level is the size and shape of their chains. Shorter chains tend to form softer and more britde materials, while longer chains form stronger and more flexible materials. These vastly different properties arise directly from the difference in size and molecular architecture of the individual polymer chains. 

Polymer From the Greek poly, many and meros, parts any long-chain molecule synthesized by linking together many single parts called monomers. 

Monomer From the Greek mono, single and meros, part the simplest nonredundant unit from which a polymer is synthesized. 

Plastic A polymer that can be molded when hot and retains its shape when cooled. 

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