Name the 5 properties that make plastic useful.
lightweight but strong, thermal and electrical insulators, durable and resistant to chemicals, moisture resistant, moldable/shapable.
Give a definition of MONOMERS and POLYMERS.
MONOMERS: small/single molecular units, POLYMERS: repeating chains of monomers.
What are the 5 STEPS to to produce plastic? (just the names, no explanation)
1 extraction, 2 refinement, 3 cracking, 4 polymerisation 5 plastic pellet.
STEP 1 of plastic production is EXTRACTION, explain what happens.
Crude oil and natural gas are extracted from the ground.
STEP 2 of plastic production is REFINEMENT, explain what happens.
Crude oil and natural gas are sent to a refinery to be distilled.
STEP 3 of plastic production is CRACKING, explain what happens.
PROPANE and ETHANE are broken down into smaller molecules, the monomers.
STEP 4 of plastic production is POLYMERIZATION, explain what happens
Monomers are linked together to form long polymer chains.
STEP 5 of plastic production is PLASTIC PELLETS, explain what happens
The polymer paste is mixed with ADDITIVES and pellets are produced.
Explain the chemical structure of THERMOPLASTIC.
The polymers are made of LONG (1 dimensional) CHAINS of monomers.
Explain the chemical structure of THERMOSET.
They're made up of a NETWORK of monomers.
Is THERMOPLASTIC recyclable? Explain why or why not?
The chemical STRUCTURE allows it to be HEATED and RESHAPED many times.
