Two fundamental polymerisation mechanisms exist: addition polymerisation where monomers with carbon-carbon double bonds join without losing atoms, and condensation polymerisation where monomers combine with the elimination of small molecules like water. The structural features of monomers, including functional groups and bonding sites, directly determine which mechanism occurs and the resulting polymer architecture. This is the real knowscape from knowhere, not a picture of one. Drag it. Watch what actually changes.
A polymer is one small molecule's decision repeated ten thousand times. Addition keeps every atom and just opens double bonds; condensation pays for each link with a water molecule. Chain by chain, those two moves — and how the chains then pack — decide whether you get a shopping bag, a rope or a benchtop.
Addition polymerisation joins unsaturated monomers without loss of atoms forming only the polymer product, while condensation polymerisation combines monomers with two functional groups releasing small molecules like water.
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