Free radical polymerization is a chemical process used to create polymers, which are large molecules made up of repeating units called monomers. This method involves three main steps: initiation, propagation, and termination. In the initiation step, free radicals are generated, often using heat or light, which then react with monomers to start the chain reaction. During propagation, the growing polymer chain continues to react with more monomers, rapidly increasing in size. The process ends in the termination step, where two free radicals combine or a radical reacts with an inhibitor, stopping the chain growth. This technique is widely used in the production of various materials, including plastics and rubbers.