Polymers are large molecules made up of monomers joined together by covalent bonds. Explain why polymers are solids at room temperature and why they do not conduct electricity.

Polymers have strong intermolecular forces such as van der Waals forces and, in some cases, hydrogen bonding, which hold the long chains together. These forces are large enough that a lot of energy is required to break them, so the melting point of most polymers lies above room temperature and they remain solid.

Polymers are covalently bonded chains that do not possess an overall electric charge. They lack free or delocalised electrons and there are no mobile ions present, so no charge carriers are available to move under an electric field. Consequently, polymers do not conduct electricity.