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Polymer
 join together to make large molecules (polymers). In the polymerization of ethene to polyethene (polythene), electrons are transferred from the carbon–carbon double bond of the ethene molecule, allowing the molecules to join together as a long chain of carbon–carbon single bonds.', copy:'(Image © RM)'});)
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Very long-chain molecule made up of many repeated simple units (monomers) linked together by polymerization. There are many polymers, both natural (cellulose, chitin, lignin, rubber) and synthetic (polyethylene and nylon, types of plastic). Synthetic polymers belong to two groups: thermosoftening and thermosetting (see plastic).
The size of the polymer matrix is determined by the amount of monomer used; it therefore does not form a molecule of constant molecular size or mass.
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addition polymerization
addition reaction
alkane
alkene
bitumen
butane
carbon
coal
condensation (chemistry)
covalent bond
cracking
crude oil
ethane
ethene
fossil fuel
fractional distillation
fractionating column
fuel
homologous series
hydrocarbon
isomer
kerosene
methane
monomer
natural gas
oil refinery
organic chemistry
paraffin
petrol
petroleum
plastic (chemistry)
polyethylene
polymer
polymerization
polystyrene
polythene
polyvinyl chloride
propane
PVC
saturated compound
unsaturated compound
addition reaction
alkane
alkene
bitumen
butane
carbon
coal
condensation (chemistry)
covalent bond
cracking
crude oil
ethane
ethene
fossil fuel
fractional distillation
fractionating column
fuel
homologous series
hydrocarbon
isomer
kerosene
methane
monomer
natural gas
oil refinery
organic chemistry
paraffin
petrol
petroleum
plastic (chemistry)
polyethylene
polymer
polymerization
polystyrene
polythene
polyvinyl chloride
propane
PVC
saturated compound
unsaturated compound
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