Question

Polyester is made up of the repeating units of a chemical called:
A. ester
B. ether
C. cotton
D. ethene

Answer 1

The single unit of the polymer which repeats again and again is known as a monomer. Polyester is a homopolymer. The name of the homopolymer represents the name of the monomer. The monomer of the copolymer is identified by breaking the bond of the copolymer.

Complete answer: The polymer is defined as a long structure having the same molecules in large numbers joined in a specific manner with the bonds. The word polymer is composed of two words ‘poly‘and ‘mer’. The word ‘poly’ means many and the word ‘mer’ means units. As a unit repeats many times so, the long structure is known as a polymer. The unit which repeats, again and again, is known as a monomer.
The polymer is divided into two categories on the basis of the type of units which repeats:
Homopolymer: When only one type of repeating unit is present in the polymer is known as a homopolymer.
Copolymer: When more than one type of repeating unit is present in the polymer is known as copolymer.
The polymer polyester is a homopolymer. The repeating unit or monomer is ethylene terephthalate. The structure of the monomer ethylene terephthalate is as follows:

So, the repeating units of polyester is a chemical known as an ester.

Therefore, option (A) ester, is correct.

Note: The name of the homopolymer includes the name of the monomer unit from which the polymer is derived and the prefix ‘poly’. The repeating unit of polyester and Dacron is the same. Polyester is a polymer and Dacron is a form of polyester. Polyester or Dacron is made by condensation polymerization.