Question

Distinguish between the terms homopolymer and copolymer and give an example of each.

Answer 1

$\text{Homopolymers}$ are formed by the polymerisation of a single monomer. The repeating units of homopolymers are derived only from one monomer. Examples includes polythene which is a homopolymer of ethene.

In $\text{copolymers}$, the repeating units are derived from two types of monomers. Example includes $Buna-S$, which is a copolymer of $1,3-butadiene$ and $styrene$.