Polymers - Year - 8

What are polymers made from?

• Nucleic acids

• Small repeating units called monomers

• Large singular molecules

• Simple sugars

True or False: All polymers are plastics.

• True

• Only synthetic ones

• False

• Sometimes

What property do synthetic polymers commonly have?

• They can be moulded into shape

• They are chemically reactive

• They break down easily

• They are liquids at room temperature

What type of waste products from the petrochemical industry were used to make the first plastics?

• Simple sugars

• Hydrocarbons

• Nucleic acids

• Amino acids

What is the purpose of cellulose in plant cell walls?

• To absorb water

• To provide support to the plant

• To store energy

• To protect against diseases

Which synthetic polymer is used to make the lenses for glasses?

• Nylon

• Polycarbonate

• Polyethene

• PVC

What are the properties of acrylic?

• Flexible, opaque, lightweight

• Elastic, tough, opaque

• Strong, does not shatter, see-through

• Chemically reactive, brittle, transparent

Why is plastic pollution a big environmental challenge?

• Because it is chemically reactive

• Because it decomposes quickly

• Because it is not useful

• Because it does not break down very quickly

What property makes synthetic polymers useful for containers like plastic bottles?

• They are chemically unreactive

• They are liquids at room temperature

• They are chemically reactive

• They break down easily

What is the relationship between hydrocarbons and plastics?

• Plastics are a type of hydrocarbon

• Hydrocarbons are used to make plastics

• Plastics are used to produce hydrocarbons

• Hydrocarbons dissolve plastics