Chapter 8

Question 1

Addition polymerisation

Answer 1

chemical reaction between monomers resulting in the formation of a polymer

Question 2

Alkene

Answer 2

hydrocarbon with at least one double carbon-carbon bond

Question 3

Alkyne

Answer 3

hydrocarbon with at least one triple carbon-carbon bond

Question 4

Condensation polymerisation

Answer 4

chemical reaction btwn monomers resulting in the formation of a polymer and water

Question 5

Cross-link

Answer 5

covalent bond btwn polymer chains

Question 6

Cross-linked (thermosetting) polymer

Answer 6

polymer containing cross-links that degrades or chars when heated

Question 7

Elastomer

Answer 7

polymer that forms occasional cross-links and is elastic

Question 8

Functional group

Answer 8

specific groups of atoms within a compound that affect the properties of the compound

Question 9

High density polyethene (HDPE)

Answer 9

tightly packed polymer produced at lower pressures

Question 10

Linear (thermoplastic) polymer

Answer 10

polymer with no cross-links that can be remoulded when heated

Question 11

Low density polyethene (LDPE)

Answer 11

branched polymer produced at high pressures

Question 12

Monomer

Answer 12

molecule that can react with other molecules to form larger molecules (polymers)

Question 13

Plastic

Answer 13

molecule produced synthetically from monomers bonded together

Question 14

Polymer

Answer 14

molecule produced naturally or synthetically from monomers bonded together

Question 15

Biodegradable

Answer 15

ability to decompose in the environment

Question 16

Bioplastics

Answer 16

plastics produced from biomass

Question 17

Carbon negative

Answer 17

describes a process that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it produces

Question 18

Chemolysis

Answer 18

the use of solely chemical substances to decompose organic substances into simpler ones

Question 19

Circular economy

Answer 19

a continuous cycle that focuses on the optimal use and re-use of resources from the extraction of raw materials through to production of new materials, followed by the consumption and re-purposing of unused and waste materials

Question 20

Compostable

Answer 20

describes a polymer that can be at least 90% decomposed after 180 days in a composting environment

Question 21

Dehydrate

Answer 21

to remove H2O from a molecule or ion

Question 22

Dehydrogenerate

Answer 22

to remove a hydrogen atom or atoms from a molecule or ion

Question 23

Feedstock

Answer 23

raw material used for producing another product

Question 24

Greenhouse gases

Answer 24

molecules that absorb infrared radiation from the sun

Question 25

Humus

Answer 25

dark, nutrient-rich, organic material produced from composting

Question 26

Linear economy

Answer 26

operates on a ‘take-make-dispose’ model, making use of resources to produce products that will be discarded after use

Question 27

Plastic dissolution

Answer 27

dissolving plastic to extract polymers and separate them from their additives

Question 28

Pyrolysis

Answer 28

decomposition brought about by high temperatures

Question 29

Steam cracking

Answer 29

the breaking down of larger saturated hydrocarbons into smaller, often unsaturated ones

Question 30

Condensation polymerisation

Answer 30

chemical reaction btwn monomers resulting in the formation of a polymer and water

Question 31

Hydrolysis

Answer 31

reaction involving the cleavage of bonds using water to break up polymers into monomers

Question 32

Innovation

Answer 32

introduction of new methods, procedures, or products to traditional industries