---
title: "Polymer versus polymerization"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 10
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:polymer-vs-polymerization"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/polymer-vs-polymerization
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Polymer versus polymerization

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 10: Asphalt, Bitumen, Tar and Miscellaneous Materials

- Asked in: 2065 Shrawan (old course), 4 marks
- Video: [Polymers: Crash Course Chemistry #45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHxxLYzJ8Sw) — CrashCourse
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/polymer-vs-polymerization
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-10

## Question

Differentiate between polymer and polymerization.

## Short answer

A polymer is a macromolecule consisting of many repeating units, while polymerization is the chemical process of joining monomers to form that polymer. Polymer is the end product (e.g. polyethylene); polymerization is the reaction (e.g. addition polymerization).

## Answer

| Point | Polymer | Polymerization |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | A large molecule (macromolecule) formed from many repeating units | The chemical process of joining monomers to form a polymer |
| Nature | A substance (product) | A reaction (process) |
| Role | Final material, e.g. polyethylene, PVC | Method used to make it |
| Types | Natural (rubber, cellulose), synthetic (plastics), thermoplastic, thermosetting | Addition and condensation polymerization |
| Example | Polyethylene | $n\,CH_2{=}CH_2 \rightarrow (-CH_2{-}CH_2-)_n$ |
| Key feature | Very high molecular mass (thousands or more) | Needs heat, pressure, a catalyst or an initiator |

In short, the polymer is what is formed and polymerization is how it is formed.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is the basic difference between a polymer and polymerization?
   A. A polymer is a process; polymerization is a substance
   B. A polymer is the substance formed; polymerization is the process of forming it
   C. Both are substances with different molecular masses
   D. Both are processes using different catalysts
   Answer: B. The polymer is what is formed; polymerization is how it is formed. (Key point: Product vs process)

2. Which are the two types of polymerization?
   A. Natural and synthetic
   B. Thermoplastic and thermosetting
   C. Addition and condensation
   D. Linear and cross-linked
   Answer: C. Polymerization is classified as addition or condensation; natural/synthetic and thermoplastic/thermosetting classify polymers. (Key point: Types of polymerization)

3. The reaction n CH2=CH2 -> (-CH2-CH2-)n is an example of:
   A. Polymerization, with polyethylene as the polymer
   B. A polymer, with polyethylene as the process
   C. Cross-linking of Bakelite
   D. Condensation releasing water
   Answer: A. It is polymerization (the process) of ethylene monomers giving the polymer polyethylene. (Key point: Example reaction)

4. What does polymerization typically require?
   A. Heat, pressure, and a catalyst or initiator
   B. Only a molecular mass in thousands
   C. Only cooling of the monomers
   D. Silica and boron trioxide
   Answer: A. Polymerization needs heat, pressure, catalyst or initiator; a molecular mass of thousands or more is a property of the polymer. (Key point: Requirements)

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