Remediation: Producing Useful Materials

Remediation: Producing Useful Materials

Multiple Choice

Desmond wanted to paint his bedroom. He went to the hardware store and was shown a variety of different paint colors from which to pick. Paint is an example of which kind of product, which is made with chemicals by humans?

• natural

• synthetic

• accidental

• natural resource

​Explanation

​The correct answer is “synthetic.” Chemicals and human-made materials are called synthetic because they don’t occur naturally in nature. “Natural” is incorrect because synthetic materials are not natural. “Accidental” is incorrect because while materials can be made accidentally, human-made materials are not all called accidental. Human-made materials from chemical reactions are not natural resources

​Explanation

​Natural resources are things that occur naturally in the environment and that people can use, including elements, simple molecules, or complex molecules. These natural resources are synthesized to make useful materials.

Multiple Choice

Ella is interested in combining substances to form a new material.  What does she need to know before she combines the substances to create a specific material?

• whether the substances are synthetic or from natural resources

• that all materials react to combine and form new products accidentally

• the physical and chemical properties of the material that will be formed

• the physical and chemical properties of the substances and how they react chemically

​Explanation

​The correct answer is “knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of substances and how they react chemically” with each other. The source of the substances is not relevant, as long as the properties of the substances are known. Materials do combine and react, but not all products are accidental. Also, the properties of the material that is formed cannot be determined until after the material is made.

Multiple Choice

Ella is interested in combining substances to form a new material.She read about some of the products chemists have discovered. She learned that sometimes synthetic materials are created accidentally. For instance, a chemist working on plastic gun sights synthesized a very sticky material accidentally. Which product had he accidentally made?

• a coil spring toy

• a heavy duty adhesive glue

• a new sweetener

• a non-stick surface

Open Ended

After studying chemical reactions in school, Jen examined some of the different ways people use synthetic materials. She found that there are a variety of ways people use them. What are some of the ways people use these materials and why?

​Sample Response

​Sample: Synthetic fibers can take the place of naturally occurring fibers like silk and wool. They are cheaper to make and can replicate or improve on the characteristics of natural fibers. They are fibers like nylon, rayon, and spandex. They last longer, dry quickly, and are easy to clean. Synthetic flavorings make food taste better and can provide color. Artificial vanilla can replace the real vanilla, which is expensive. Preservatives prevent or slow decay and keep food fresher. Synthetic chemicals can form medicines to prevent or cure illnesses. After learning the chemical compounds in a medicine, chemists can develop the compounds artificially, make them in large amounts, and make them safer. Synthetic fuels can provide energy to reserve petroleum. Research has been going on to develop fuels that can replace petroleum.

Multiple Choice

Calvin was using a heavy duty glue one afternoon after learning about synthetic materials. Chemists create different kinds of new products based on their knowledge of the properties of substances and how they react with each other. Sometimes, chemists create a product different than what they intended to create, like the type of glue Calvin used. What kind of product was this type of glue?

• accidental

• developed

• known

• planned

Multiple Choice

Luisa drinks water from plastic bottles. She knows the bottles are formed from synthetic polymers that are created in a chemical reaction. She also knows that synthetic materials can cause problems. Which statement explains one kind of problem that can develop from using synthetic materials such as plastic?

• Plastics have changed the way people use materials.

• Plastics have made the lives of people easier.

• Plastics have contributed to more pollution.

• Plastics have made more work for people.

Multiple Choice

Ethylene is a colorless gas composed of two carbon atoms and two hydrogen atoms that burns when lit. It is derived mostly from oil and natural gas, although it is also found in plants. Polyethylene is a plastic polymer composed of repeating units of ethylene monomers. The plastic, which is relatively soft and flexible, can be formed into almost any shape. It is used mostly in plastic bags and containers for liquids. Polyethylene is very durable because it is resistant to breakdown by many kinds of chemicals. Which of these characteristics would be considered a drawback of plastic? Mark all that apply.

• flexible and durable materials that can be formed into any shape

• derived from fossil fuels

• do not biodegrade

• biodegrade too quickly

• derived mostly from renewable resources

Multiple Select

Robert is researching alternative fuels and learns about different types of alcohol. They can be synthesized from wood and grasses or produced from crops that are already grown in many parts of the world. When mixed with gasoline, alcohol raises the octane, which makes the gasoline burn more efficiently. It also reduces the amount of pollutants released. Robert makes notes about a number of characteristics of alcohol fuels, as listed below. Which characteristics would be classified as a BENEFIT? Check all that apply.

• raise octane

• contain less energy per liter

• renewable

• require farmland

• reduce air pollution