Distinguish between the terms homopolymer and copolymer and give an example of each.

Explanation

Homopolymer is a high molecular mass macromolecule (polymer) which is formed from one type of monomers. For example, polythene is a homopolymer because it is formed from ethene monomer. Copolymer is a high molecular mass macromolecule (or polymer) which is formed from two or more different monomers. For example, nylon 6, 6 is a copolymer formed form hexamethylene diamine and adipic acid.
`underset("Hexamethylenediamine")(nH_(2)N-(CH_(2))_(6)-NH_(2))+nHOOC-underset("Adipic acid")((CH_(2))_(4)-COOH)overset("Polymerisation")rarr underset("Nylon -6, 6 (copolymer)")([-NH-(CH_(2))_(6)-NH-CO-(CH_(2))_+(4)-CO]_(n))`