Chapter 17 (17.4-17.6) - plastics

Question 1

What are plastics made of

Answer 1

polymers

Question 2

State properties of plastics

Answer 2

Dont conduct heat or electricity

unreactive

Light to carry

Durable

Strong

Don’t catch fire easily

Question 3

Why is there so much plastic in landfills

Answer 3

So stable that it breaks down and decomposes very slowly

Question 4

Implications of plastic waste in water

Answer 4

Marine life mistake it for food - it fills their guts and they die of starvation

Photo degrade quickly - end up as tiny microparticles

Marine animals then eat those microparticles which accumalates in their body.

Humans then eat those marine animals

Question 5

What happens if you try to burn plastic

consequences

Answer 5

Releases toxic chemicals

Damage heart, lungs, nervous system, fertility issues, harm to unborn babies, etc

Question 6

consequences of burning plastic in open air

where should you burn them

Answer 6

Toxic chemicals end up in the air, soil, crops, water

Burn in incinerators where toxic chemicals get trapped

Question 7

Ill effects of incinerators

solution

Answer 7

Produce carbon dioxide

pyrolysis - plastic is melted in almost no oxygen and can be turned to other products

Question 8

other solutions to plastic waste

Answer 8

Cut down single use plastic
Burn with care. Incinerators or pyrolysis
recycle
reuse
make biodegradable plastics

Question 9

Describe two problems caused by the disposal of synthetic polymers in landfill sites

Answer 9

shortage of sites / landfill sites fill up;
visual pollution/ litter;
danger to wild life

Question 10

Explain the term non-biodegradable

Answer 10

does not break down or rot or decompose (1)
by microbes or fungi or bacteria or by living organisms (1)

Question 11

Adv and disadv of burning plastic

Answer 11

Adv:
reduces visual pollution / litter
reduces risks to wildlife
shortage of landfill sites / reduces space needed in landfill sites / saves space

diasdv:
produces toxic gases / harmful to health
increases greenhouse gases / global warming
burning source of energy / used to generate electricity

Question 12

Adv and disadv of recycling

Answer 12

conserves petroleum / natural resources
reduces need for landfill

disadv:
difficult to recycle / expensive / takes much energy
problems over sorting
quality of plastic is reduced each time it is recycled

Question 13

Explain how plastic is recycled

Answer 13

First the plastic product is cleaned and shredded

Then fragments are melted and filtered. Material is cooled into pellets and dried. These pellets can be turned into other plastic items.