Branched polymer

A branched polymer is like a tree made of plastic. The trunk of the tree is called the "main chain" or the backbone. Attached to the backbone are little branches coming off it, called "side chains". The backbone and the side chains together make up the branched polymer. Different kinds of branched polymers can be made depending on how the different side chains are arranged. Scientists use these polymers for a lot of different things, like making special materials that are strong and will not break easily.