GIANT MOLECULES - Essential Materials for Everyday Living and Problem Solving - SECOND EDITION

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Sage

A two-part educational reference on polymers and related giant-molecule materials, designed for everyday understanding and practical problem solving. Covers foundational chemistry from matter/energy, elements, atoms, molecular structure, bonding, and chemical equations to the science and technology history of polymerization. Explains polymer structure, molecular weights, properties, transitions, nomenclature, and marketplace context, then connects structure-property relationships for elastomers, fibers, plastics, adhesives, coatings, polyblends, and composites. Includes physical and chemical testing methods such as thermal, mechanical, density, chemical resistance, and water absorption, supported by glossary, review questions, and bibliographic references.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages483

Reading Time12 h 24 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

1 The Building Blocks of Our World

Introduction

Setting the Stage

Basic Laws

Matter/Energy

Symbols for the Elements

Elements

Atoms

Classical Atomic Structure

Modern Atomic Structure

Periodicity

Molecular Structure

Chemical Equations

Chemical Bonding

Intermolecular Forces

Units of Measurement

2 Small Organic Molecules

Introduction

Early Developments in Organic Chemistry

Alkanes

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons (Alkenes)

Aliphatic Compounds

Unsaturated Compounds

Benzene and Its Derivatives (Aromatic Compounds)

Heterocyclic Compounds

Polymeric Structure

3 Introduction to the Science of Giant Molecules

A Brief History of Chemical Science and Technology

Polymerization

Importance of Giant Molecules

Polymer Properties

A Few Definitions of Polymers (Macromolecules)

Polymer Structure

Molecular Weights of Polymers

Polymeric Transitions

Testing of Polymers

Chemical Names of Polymers

Trade Names of Polymers

Importance of Descriptive Nomenclature

Marketplace

4 Relationships Between the Properties and Structure of Giant Molecules

General

Elastomers

Fibers

Plastics

Adhesives

Coatings

Polyblends and Composites

Crystalline–Amorphous Structures

Chain Flexibility

Intermolecular Forces

Structural Regularity

Steric Effects

Summary

5 Physical and Chemical Testing of Polymers

Testing Organizations

Evaluation of Test Data

Stress/Strain Relationships

Heat Deflection Test

Coefficient of Linear Expansion

Compressive Strength

Flexural Strength

Impact Test

Tensile Strength

Hardness Test

Glass Transition Temperature and Melting Point

Density (Specific Gravity)

Resistance to Chemicals

Water Absorption

6 Thermoplastics

Introduction

Polyethylenes—History

High-Density Polyethylene

Low-Density Polyethylene

Ultrahigh-Molecular-Weight Poly

GIANT MOLECULES Essential Materials for Everyday Living and Problem Solving SECOND EDITION Charles E. Carraher, Jr. A JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC., PUBLICATION Copyright \# 2003 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey. Published simultaneously in Canada. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy feeto the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, 978-750-8400, fax 978-750-4470, or on the web [at www.copyright.com. Requests](at www.copyright.com. Requests) to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030,(201) 748-6011, fax (201) 748-6008, e-mail: [permreq@wiley.com](permreq@wiley.com). Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the publisher and author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and speciﬁcally disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or ﬁtness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales representatives or written sales materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. You should consult with a professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor author shall be liable for any loss of proﬁt or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages. For general information on our other products and services please contact our Customer Care Department within [the U.S. at](the U.S. at) 877-762-2974, outside [the U.S. at](the U.S. at) 317-572-3993 or fax 317-572-4002 . Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print, however, may not be available in electronic format. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data: Carraher, Charles E. Giant molecules : essential materials for everyday living and problem solving.– 2nd ed. / Charles E. Carraher, Jr. [p. cm](p. cm). Rev. ed. of: Giant molecules / Raymond B. Seymour, Charles E. Carraher. \#1990. Includes index. ISBN 0-471-27399-6 (cloth) 1. Polymers. 2. Plastics. I. Seymour, Raymond Benedict, 1912-Giant molecules. II. Title. QD381.S47 2003 668.9–dc21 2003009073 Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 CONTENTS Preface xv 1 The Building Blocks of Our World 1 1.1 Introduction / 2 1.2 Setting the Stage / 2 1.3 Basic Laws / 3 1.4 Matter/Energy / 5 1.5 Symbols for the Elements / 7 1.6 Elements / 7 1.7 Atoms / 8 1.8 Classical Atomic Structure / 8 1.9 Modern Atomic Structure / 10 1.10 Periodicity / 11 1.11 Molecular Structure / 14 1.12 Chemical Equations / 17 1.13 Chemical Bonding / 20 1.14 Intermolecular Forces / 24 1.15 Units of Measurement / 25 Glossary / 26 Review Questions / 28 Bibliography / 29 Answers to Review Questions / 30 2 Small Organic Molecules 31 2.1 Introduction / 31 2.2 Early Developments in Organic Chemistry / 32 2.3 Alkanes / 32 2.4 Unsaturated Hydrocarbons (Alkenes) / 35 2.5 Aliphatic Compounds / 39 2.6 Unsaturated Compounds / 42 2.7 Benzene and Its Derivatives (Aromatic Compounds) / 43 vi CONTENTS 2.8 Heterocyclic Compounds / 44 2.9 Polymeric Structure / 46 2.10 Structures / 47 Glossary / 50 Review Questions / 53 Bibliography / 54 Answers to Review Questions / 54 3 Introduction to the Science of Giant Molecules 57 3.1 A Brief History of Chemical Sci

FAQs

What topics are covered in the early chapters about giant molecules?

The book begins with fundamental chemistry—matter/energy, elements, atoms, molecular structure, chemical equations, bonding, intermolecular forces, and measurement units—then moves into small organic molecules and introductory polymer science.

How does the book explain polymer properties and structure relationships?

It describes polymerization history, definitions, polymer structure and molecular weights, transitions and testing, then links polymer structure to properties for elastomers, fibers, plastics, adhesives, coatings, polyblends, and composites.

What testing methods are included for polymers?

It covers evaluation of test data and a range of physical/chemical tests including stress/strain relationships, heat deflection, thermal expansion, mechanical strengths (compressive, flexural, impact, tensile), hardness, glass transition and melting behavior, density, chemical resistance, and water absorption.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Sage