The Development of plastics for the future

Question 1

State the main non-renewable material used in the production of plastic. {1}

Answer 1

Crude oil {1}

Question 2

State the trend in the global production of plastic each year. {1}

Answer 2

Continues to increase. {1}

Question 3

State the name of the process required to convert crude oil into the feedstocks required for plastic manufacture. {2}

Answer 3

Distillation. {1}

Fractional distillation. {2}

Question 4

Identify two pollution problems associated with the use of plastics derived from fossil fuels. {2}

Answer 4

Cannot be broken down by microorganisms. {1}

Incineration produces toxic materials. {1}

Question 5

Name three toxic gases that may be released during the

incineration of plastics {3}

Answer 5

Carbon monoxide
hydrogen cyanide
hydroelectric acid.

Question 6

State 1 application for photo-degradable plastic and describe its impact on crops or the environment. {2}

Answer 6

Plastic Mulch {1}

Used as a growth promoter for saplings {1}

In forestry or poor land {1}

Allows soil to be stabilized whilst sapling takes root in otherwise unstable soil. {1}

Question 7

Explain what is meant by the term ‘biodegradable plastic’. {1}

Answer 7

Can be broken down by micro-organisms, bacteria or other biological means

Question 8

Describe two applications of biodegradable plastics. {4}

Answer 8

Packaging for single use items such
as carrier bags, food packaging and drink and food cartons for the takeaways.

Improvement of soil structure when the decomposed plastic can make then soil more fertile and improve plant growth.

Question 9

Identify a piece of laboratory apparatus that could be used to measure the tensile strength of photo-degradable plastics. {1}

Answer 9

A Newton meter. {1}

Question 10

Explain an option that can be used in modern plastic manufacturing processes to improve biodegradability. {2}

Answer 10

Production of compostable plastics {1}

Made from e.g. corn starch fully biodegradable and compostable {1}

Question 11

Many plastics are photodegradable. Describe how a plastic can be modified during the manufacturing process to make it photodegradable. {2}

Answer 11

It is manufactured to contain a chemical additive {1}

which absorbs light, attacks the polymer and breaks it down. {1}

Question 12

Describe how bioderived polyethylene (BPE) is produced. {2}

Answer 12

Ethanol from fermentation of crop biomass converted to ethylene {1}

Ethylene is then polymerized by addition polymerization {1}

Question 13

The production of (BPE), is often described as not being ‘a sustainable manufacturing process’.

Why is this so? {2}

Answer 13

It is energy intensive process. {1}

And energy used in its production will almost certainly come from a nonrenewable source. {1}

Question 14

BPE is an example of a recyclable plastic. What does the letters BPE stand for? {1}

Answer 14

Bio-derived polyethylene. {1}

Question 15

Describe fully how BPE is manufactured, {3}

Answer 15

Sugar cane undergoes fermentation to produce ethanol. {1}

Ethanol is converted to ethylene. {1}

Ethylene then undergoes polymerization to form BPE. {1}