Quiz on Polymers and Plastics

What are polymers?

• Molecules that are always organic and derived from plants

• Long chains of monomers chemically bonded together

• Substances found only in synthetic plastics

• Short molecules that form rigid structures

Which process is used to separate crude oil into fractions?

• Cracking

• Polymerisation

• Fractional distillation

• Refining

What are the two main types of plastics?

• Recyclable and non-recyclable

• Bioplastics and synthetic plastics

• Thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics

• Flexible plastics and rigid plastics

Why are bioplastics considered more sustainable?

• They are made from renewable plant-based resources

• They last longer than synthetic plastics

• They are made from crude oil

• They require more energy to produce

What is cracking in the context of polymer production?

• A) A process to break down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller, more useful ones

• B) The heating process used to melt plastics

• C) A method for recycling thermoplastics

• D) A process to create bioplastics from corn starch

Which of the following is a thermoplastic?

• A) Epoxy resin

• B) Nylon

• C) Melamine

• D) Bakelite

What problem does plastic pose at the end of its life?

• A) It corrodes quickly

• B) It releases beneficial gases into the atmosphere

• C) It does not biodegrade and adds to landfill

• D) It cannot be recycled

What is polymerisation?

• A) The process of breaking down polymers

• B) The joining of monomers to create long-chain molecules

• C) A way to make plastics from crude oil

• D) The process of separating fractions in crude oil

What is the main source of synthetic plastics?

• Natural gas

• Vegetable starches

• Petrochemicals (e.g., crude oil)

• Plant-based oils

Which additive is used to make plastics more flexible?

• Pigments

• Plasticisers

• Stabilisers

• Antibacterial agents