Lecture Notes on Plastics and Bioplastics

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes covering topics related to the properties, testing, and types of plastics as well as bioplastics.

Stress Test

An experiment to evaluate the durability of different types of plastics under stress.

Acetone

A strong solvent that some plastics cannot tolerate; used in nail polish remover.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation for a phenomenon, to be tested through experiments.

Bioplastics

Plastics derived from renewable biological materials, such as corn starch.

Polyethylene (PE)

A widely used type of plastic, available in high-density (HDPE) and low-density (LDPE) forms.

Polyvinylchloride (PVC)

A durable plastic used commonly in pipes, furniture, and electrical cables.

Polypropylene (PP)

A flexible plastic used for food packaging and containers.

Polystyrene (PS)

A plastic that can be solid or foamed, often used for disposable cutlery.

Monomer

A small molecule that can join together with others to form a polymer.

Polymer

A large molecule made up of repeating units (monomers), which can have various physical properties.

Salt Water Solution

A mixture of water and salt, used in tests to determine the buoyancy of plastics.

Ethene

A simple hydrocarbon that is a significant precursor in the production of many plastics.

Transparency in Plastics

The ability of plastics to let light pass through; can vary by type of plastic.

Biodegradability

The ability of a substance, including certain plastics, to decompose through biological processes.

Glycerol

A colorless, odorless, viscous liquid used in plastic experiments to observe behavior changes.

Conclusion

A summary of the findings from experiments, providing insights into the properties of plastics.