polymerism etymology

Etymology and Meaning:

The term "polymerism" is derived from the Greek words:

  • poly (πολύ) meaning "many"
  • meros (μέρος) meaning "part"

Therefore, "polymerism" literally means "many parts."

Origin:

The term was first coined by Jöns Jakob Berzelius in 1833 to describe compounds that exhibited varying molecular weights despite sharing the same elemental composition. This observation led to the realization that these compounds were composed of multiple repeating units, or monomers.

Meaning:

In modern chemistry, polymers are defined as substances composed of many repeating structural units (monomers) covalently bonded together to form macromolecules. The process of forming polymers is known as polymerization.

Conclusion:

The etymology of "polymerism" reflects its historical roots in the understanding of compounds composed of multiple subunits. It highlights the key characteristic of polymers as being made up of many repeating structural units, leading to their unique properties.

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