What Are Some Examples of Polymers?

Question: What Are Some Examples of Polymers?

A polymer is a large molecule that is made up of repeating subunits connected to each other by chemical bonds. Do you need some examples of polymers? Here is a list of materials that are polymers, plus some examples of materials that are not polymers.

Answer: While plastics are used as a common example of polymers, there are many other materials which are also polymers. Polymers include:

• anything plastic
• proteins, such as hair, nails, tortoise shell
• cellulose in paper and trees
• DNA
• silly putty
• rubber

So while paper plates, styrofoam cups, plastic bottles, and a block of wood are all examples of polymers, there are some materials which are not polymers. Examples of materials which are not polymers include:

• elements
• metals
• ionic compounds, such as salt