Question

Is Rubber a Polymer?

Answer 1

First we have to know a polymer is any of a class of natural or synthetic substances composed of very large molecules (macromolecules), that are multiples of simpler chemical units called monomers. Polymers are of two types: naturally occurring and synthetic (man-made). Some of the natural polymers are silk, hair, proteins and DNA. Some of the synthetic polymers are polyethylene, polypropylene and polyester.

Complete answer:
Natural rubber is a natural polymer of isoprene ($2$-Methyl - $1$, $3$- Butadiene). Natural rubber has elastic properties and it undergoes long range reversible extension even if relatively small force is applied to it. Therefore, it is also known as Elastomer. Rubber is a name given to a lot of different polymers that are all elastomers. Hence, rubber is an example of an elastomer type polymer, where the polymer has the ability to return to its original shape after being stretched or deformed.
Vulcanized rubber is a synthetic (man-made) polymer, while pectin is an example of a natural polymer. Rubber can also be made by man. Synthetic rubber can be made from the polymerization of a variety of monomers, including isoprene.

Additional Information:
Polymer weighs less, is cheaper to manufacture, resists the elements much better, is easier to maintain, and it is stronger than metal. Synthetic polymers are human-made polymers. They can be classified into four main categories: thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, and synthetic fibres.

Note:
Note that the term polymer comes from the Greek, “poly” means “many” and “mer” means “parts”. The chemical names for natural rubber and the monomer are polyisoprene and isoprene respectively. All plastics are polymers, but not all polymers are plastics.