Polymer Properties & Environmental Impacts
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18 Terms
Why are polymers useful materials?
Their properties can be adapted for different applications.
Why are many polymers lightweight?
They have relatively low densities.
Why are many polymers resistant to corrosion?
They are generally chemically unreactive under normal conditions.
Why are polymers often good electrical insulators?
They usually lack mobile charged particles.
What is a thermosoftening polymer?
A polymer that softens when heated and hardens when cooled.
Why can thermosoftening polymers be reshaped?
Their polymer chains can move past one another when heated.
What is a thermosetting polymer?
A polymer that does not soften readily when reheated because its chains are cross-linked.
Why are thermosetting polymers heat-resistant?
Covalent cross-links restrict movement between polymer chains.
What is the difference between thermosoftening and thermosetting polymers?
Thermosoftening polymers can soften and be reshaped, while thermosetting polymers contain cross-links that prevent reshaping.
Why are many plastics difficult to dispose of?
They are often non-biodegradable and persist in the environment.
What happens when plastic waste enters oceans?
It may harm marine organisms and fragment into smaller particles.
What are microplastics?
Small plastic particles, commonly defined as less than 5 mm in size.
Why is recycling polymers beneficial?
It can reduce waste and the demand for raw materials.
Why can recycling plastics be difficult?
Different polymers may need sorting and separate processing.
What is a biodegradable polymer?
A polymer that can be broken down by biological processes under suitable conditions.
Why are biodegradable polymers not always environmentally harmless?
Their breakdown depends on specific environmental conditions, and some require industrial composting.
Why can burning polymers cause environmental problems?
Combustion can release carbon dioxide and potentially harmful gases.
Why is reducing plastic waste important?
It helps limit pollution, resource consumption and harm to ecosystems.