chemistry of plastics

What term means "does not break down in the environment"

• biodegradeable
• non-degradeable
• corrosive
• biodegenerative

Which is the most common material used to make plastics

• Natural gas

• Crude oil

• Coal

Reheating a __________ plastic component will cause the forces between the molecules to become weaker which allows them to slip over each other - the component can be reshaped or become mis-shaped in use if it becomes too hot.

• thermoplastic

• thermosetting plastic

It is made of long chains of molecules.

• Atoms

• Elements

• Polymers

• Gelatin

Which of the following is true about plastic?

• It's cheap

• It's versatile (many uses)

• It's disposable

• All of the above

True or False: We've produced more plastic in the last 10 years than in the last century.

• True

• False

True or False: Large pieces of plastic break down into smaller pieces in the ocean

• True

• False

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the world's largest garbage dump. How big is it?

• Twice the size of Texas

• The size of Toronto

• The size of the USA

• Twice the size of Ontario

True or False: Plastic in the ocean ends up in the food you eat.

• True

• False

How long does it take plastic to degrade?

• 500-1000 years

• 200 years

• 150 years

• 50 years