Polymer
A large molecule built from many repeating structural units joined by covalent bonds.
Formula / equation
–(A)ₙ–
Unit
g/mol
In depth
Polymers may be natural or synthetic, and their properties depend on chain length, branching, cross-linking and the degree of crystallinity. Because chain lengths vary within any sample, a polymer has an average molar mass rather than a single value.
Examples in the real world
Polythene and nylon as synthetic polymers; proteins, cellulose and DNA as natural ones.