Key Area 3.2 - Properties Of Plastic

Question 1

What is addition polymerisation

Answer 1

Monomers contain a double carbon to carbon bond. During this process the bond breaks and the monomers join together in a long chain molecule called a polymer(plastic)

Question 2

What is condensation polymerisation

Answer 2

Condensation polymers are made from monomers that contain 2 fuctional groups such as diols or diacids. The monomers join together by condensation reactions removing water molecules as they join

Question 3

Name some natural polymers

Answer 3

Starch

Proteins

Question 4

Name some synthetic polymers

Answer 4

Polyester

Nylon

Question 5

List some advantages of plastics

Answer 5

Does not rot or corrode
Can indulge
Can be mounded
Light material
Strong
Can be coloured
Cheap to make

Question 6

List some disadvantages of plastics

Answer 6

Difficult to dispose of
Poisonous fumes given off when they are burned
Expensive to recycle
They don’t look as good as natural materials

Question 7

What does the term biodegradable mean

Answer 7

Materials that can be broken down by natural means

Question 8

List some of the toxic gases released from burning plastics

Answer 8

Carbon monoxide
Hydrogen chloride
Hydrogen cyanide

Question 9

What are thermosoftening plastics

Answer 9

Softens on heating and does not contain cross links
Polyethene
PVC

Question 10

What are thermosetting plastics

Answer 10

Does not soften on heating and contains cross links
Bakelite
Formica

Question 11

List some of the properties of plastics

Answer 11

Chemical resistance
Heat or electricity insulator
Transparent
Water proof
Durable
Flexible

Question 12

What does the term synthetic mean

Answer 12

The name given to all materials that are man made. All plastics are synthetic products mainly made from Naptha