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  • Understanding Polymer Formation: The Role of Chemical Reactions
    Yes, polymers are formed by chemical changes.

    Here's why:

    * Monomers to Polymers: Polymers are formed by joining together many smaller molecules called monomers. This joining process involves the formation of covalent bonds, which are strong chemical bonds.

    * Chemical Reactions: The process of forming polymers from monomers is called polymerization. This is a chemical reaction where monomers react with each other, releasing small molecules like water or methanol as byproducts.

    * Changes in Properties: The resulting polymer has significantly different properties compared to the original monomers. For example, individual ethylene molecules (monomers) are gases at room temperature, while polyethylene (a polymer of ethylene) is a solid plastic.

    Therefore, the formation of polymers is a clear indication of a chemical change.

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