Question

Make a group of 7-10 students and collect ten articles made of polymers from their homes. Collect the following information about each of these polymers:
(i) Identify the polymer. (ii) Find out its monomer. (iii) What type of polymerization is involved in it? (iv) Classify it on the basis of its origin, structure, method of polymerization and molecular forces. (v) Is it biodegraable? (vi) How can it be reused or recycled?

Answer 1

Information about polymer in terms of Identify the polymer, its monomer, type of polymerization involved in it, classification on the basis of its origin, structure, method of polymerization and molecular forces, biodegradability and how can it be reused or recycled is as follows:

• (i) Identify the polymer.  
• Plastic bottle - Plastic.
• (ii) Find out its monomer.  
• To produce PET, chemists use two different kinds of monomers: terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol.
• (iii) What type of polymerization is involved in it?  
• two main types of polymerization are addition and condensation  
• (iv) Classify it on the basis of its origin, structure, method of polymerization and molecular forces.  
• Classification Based on Source - Synthetic polymers  
• Classification Based on the Structure of Polymers - Branch chain polymers  
• Classification Based on Molecular Forces - Thermoplastics
• (v) Is it biodegradable?  
• Plastic is considered biodegradable if it can degrade into the water, carbon dioxide, and biomass in a given time frame (dependent on different standards). Thus, the terms are not synonymous.  
• (vi) How can it be reused or recycled?
• The plastic bottles are also sorted by the type of plastic they're made from. Then, the bottles are cleaned to remove any food, liquid, or chemical residue.