Science
What is a polymer?
A polymer is a large molecule made of many small, repeating units linked into long chains. From plastics and rubber to DNA and proteins, polymers are everywhere — their chain structure gives them strength, flexibility, and endless variety.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains a polymer.
Key things to understand
- 1It's a long molecule built from repeating units called monomers.
- 2Chaining monomers gives materials strength and flexibility.
- 3Plastics, rubber, and nylon are synthetic polymers.
- 4DNA, proteins, and cellulose are natural polymers.
- 5Changing the units and structure tunes the material's properties.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a polymer made of?
- Many small repeating molecules (monomers) chemically linked into long chains, like beads strung together.
- Are polymers natural or synthetic?
- Both — plastics and nylon are synthetic, while DNA, proteins, silk, and cellulose are natural polymers.
- Why are plastics so versatile?
- By varying the building blocks and chain structure, polymers can be made hard or soft, rigid or stretchy, clear or colored.