What do drinking bottles and nylon have in common? They are both made with a condensation reaction. The video discusses how polymers join in a condensation reaction. It details the results of the reaction and why they combine in that particular way using multiple examples.

Concepts

polymers, condensation, functional groups

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Remind pupils that all polymers have a long repeating chain not just a long chain of unique units
• Use this site: 
  http://www.bottledwater.org/education/recycling/pet-facts to learn why PET plastics are better for the environment than many other types of plastic

Classroom Considerations

• Relies on prior knowledge of polymers and chemical structures

Pros

• Mentions when people use this in business and industry — a great real-world connection
• Lists the chemical formula names along with the chemical structures

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.9-10.4 RST.11-12.4