Plastics

Question 1

Making plastics

Answer 1

1 Simple hydrocarbons are separated from crude oil. They are known as monomers.

2 These monomers react together and form long chains called polymers.

Question 2

What are plastics

Answer 2

Plastics are man-made materials. Most plastics are made from crude oil.

Question 3

Everyday plastics

Answer 3

nylon
melamine
phenolic resins
PVC
Polystyrene
polythene
Polypropene

Question 4

Polymerisation

Answer 4

Small repeating units called monomers join together to form a large molecule called a polymer.

Question 5

model of polymerisation

Answer 5

.

Question 6

Properties of high temperature crude oil

Answer 6

large molecules
high boiling point
dark in colour
hard to light 
thick

Question 7

Properties of low temperature crude oil

Answer 7

small molecules
low boiling points
light in colour
easy to light
runny

Question 8

why are so many items made of plastic?

Answer 8

cheap to make

designed to have specific properties to suit their use

Plastics are easy to maintain and are very durable.

They can be moulded into almost any shape and size.

Question 9

Polythene

Answer 9

Polythene is made in a high or low density form.

Low density polythene is soft and flexible and is used to make plastic bags and bottles.

High density polythene is hard and rigid and is used to make plastic crates and dustbins.

Question 10

polystyrene

Answer 10

Polystyrene is used to make items such as yoghurt pots.

Expanded polystyrene is made by simply blowing in some gas during the moulding stage.
This gives the polymer a low density and excellent insulation properties.

Question 11

Heating plastics

Answer 11

Plastics fall into two categories:
1 Plastics which melt when heated.
2 Plastics which do not melt or soften on heating.

Question 12

environmental impact of plastics

Answer 12

Plastic does not break down easily.
It is not affected by air and water. It is not biodegradable – bacteria cannot break it down.

Many plastics are a fire risk.

When they burn, poisonous fumes are created.

Question 13

polythene use and reason for use

Answer 13

Plastic bags, fertiliser sacks, squeezy bottles, lunch boxes

Strong, cheap and flexible

Question 14

rigid PVC and reasons for use

Answer 14

Pipes and gutters, window frames, floor tiles, curtain rails

Strong, long lasting, weather resistant

Question 15

Flexible PVC use and reasons for use

Answer 15

Insulation for electrical wires, hosepipes, shower curtains

Strong, long lasting, very flexible, electrical insulator

Question 16

Polystyrene use and reasons for use

Answer 16

Polystyrene Food containers, yoghurt pots, electrical components
Strong (but brittle), rigid, electrical insulator

Question 17

Expanded polystyrene (aeroboard) use and reasons for use

Answer 17

Packaging, house wall insulation, disposable coffee cups

Extremely low density, good heat insulator

Question 18

Nylon use and reasons for use

Answer 18

Tights, carpets, ropes, combs, brushes, gear wheels

Can be spun into fibres, hard-wearing, ‘slippery’

Question 19

Crude oil

Answer 19

Crude oil is a thick, black, foul-smelling liquid

Question 20

list of plastics for uses & reasons for uses

Answer 20

polythene
rigid PVC
flexible PVC
polystyrene
extended polystyrene (aeroboard)
nylon