Chapter 9: The World of Polymers and Plastics

Which of the following options correctly describe "n" in any polymerization reaction? Select all that apply. See the accompanying equation for a representation of a general polymerization reaction.

"n" indicates the number of molecules of monomer that react. "n" specifies the length of the polymer.

In a molecular substance, the covalent bonds between the atoms hold the individual molecule together as a unit and may be referred to as ______ forces. The nonbonding forces of attraction between one individual molecule and another are called ______ forces.

intramolecular; intermolecular

Which of the following statements correctly describes the peptide bond? Select all that apply.

A peptide bond is formed between the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another. Each amino acid can form at least two peptide bonds.

Which of the following starting materials is NOT used to synthesize eco-friendly polymers?

Petroleum

What is the most common monomer arrangement for PVC, PP, and PS?

Repeating head-to-tail

Which of the following options correctly describe a polymer? Select all that apply.

The prefix poly indicates that a polymer is made up of many smaller units. Polymers have high molecular masses. A polymer is made up of repeating units called monomers.

The root of the word monomer means _____.

one unit

Packaging materials designed and used in such a way to reduce their environmental impact are called _____ packaging materials.

sustainable

Polymers that can be reshaped when heated are called _____ polymers.

thermoplastic

Rank the following forces of attraction from the strongest to the weakest. Place the strongest type of force at the the top of the list.

1. Covalent bonds 2. Intermolecular bonds

Rank the following synthetic polymers from the most to the least recycled, in terms of million pounds, starting with the most recycled polymer at the top of the list.

1. PET 2. HDPE 3. PVC

Place the steps for recycling plastics in the correct order, starting with the first step at the top of the list.

1. collection of plastic 2. transport of plastic to recycling facility 3. sorting of plastic 4. melting of plastic 5. Manufacture of new products or pelletization

Place the following types of municipal waste in order of abundance, starting with the item that comprises the greatest amount of waste at the top of the list.

1. paper 2. food scraps 3. yard trimmings 4. plastics 5. metals

Place "the four R's" for increasing sustainability in order of their desirability, starting with the most desirable activity at the top of the list.

1. reduce 2. recover 3. recycle 4. reuse

Which of the following options correctly describe amino acids? Select all that apply.

An amino acid has an amine group and a carboxylic acid functional group bonded to a carbon. Twenty amino acids occur naturally.

Which of the following is/are considered municipal solid waste (MSW)? Select all that apply.

Banana peel Old microwave Grass clippings

Which of the following are different forms of polystyrene? Select all that apply.

Crystal Expandable

Match each polymer region to the correct description.

Crystalline region ----> Polymer molecules are arranged in a regular pattern. Amorphous regions ----> Polymer molecules are disordered and random.

Match each polymeric region correctly with its associated properties.

Crystalline regions ----> Toughness, resistance to abrasion Amorphous regions ----> Flexibility

What type of forces are a result of an attraction between molecules due to a distortion in the electron cloud, which causes an uneven distribution of negative charge?

Dispersion forces

Which of the following options correctly describe eco-friendly polymers? Select all that apply.

Eco-friendly polymers are made from materials such as wood, cotton, starch, and sugar. Eco-friendly polymers have been used in automobile parts. Eco-friendly polymer waste decomposes easily.

Which of the following statements correctly describe polystyrene? Select all that apply.

Expandable polystyrene is light and a good thermal insulator. Crystal polystyrene is hard and brittle.

Which of the following physical properties is associated with a polymer that possesses amorphous regions?

Flexibility

Which of the following polymers are formed through addition polymerization? Select all that apply.

LDPE PP PS PVC HDPE

Match each polymer type with its appropriate physical properties.

LDPE ----> translucent, soft, flexible HDPE ----> rigid, tough, dense PVC ----> rigid, resistant to most chemicals PS ----> somewhat brittle, rigid, dissolves in many organic solvents PP ----> opaque, very tough, resistant to oils, high melting point PETE ----> transparent, shatter-resistant, impervious to acids and atmospheric gases

What forces cause polyethylene to be a solid material?

London dispersion forces

Which of the following statements correctly describe proteins? Select all that apply.

Monomers are joined through condensation polymerization. 20 different monomers can be combined in any ratio to form the polymer.

Which of the following options correctly describe condensation polymerization? Select all that apply.

Nylon is an example of a condensation polymer. When the monomers of a condensation polymer combine a small molecule is eliminated.

Which of the following options correctly describe the recycling of plastics? Select all that apply.

Once sorted, plastics are melted. Codes on plastic containers help to separate different types of polymers.

Which type of synthetic polymer is the most recycled in terms of millions of pounds?

PET

Which of the following options correctly describe the applications of the big six polymers? Select all that apply.

PP is used in the manufacture of carpeting. PS is used to fabricate food wrap.

Which of the following statements correctly describe/define the word plastic? Select all that apply.

Plastic is sometimes used a synonym for synthetic polymer. Plastic is both an adjective and a noun.

Which of the following options correctly describe plasticizers? Select all that apply.

Plasticizers disrupt the regular packing of polymer molecules. PVC commonly contains plasticizers.

The monomers used to synthesize some of the "big six" are very structurally similar to ethylene except one of the hydrogens has been substituted by another atom or group of atoms. Match each substituent with the appropriate name of the monomer.

R = -Cl ----> vinyl chloride R = -CH3 ----> propylene R = -C6H5 ----> styrene

Which of the following are advantages of recycling? Select all that apply.

The amount of waste in landfills is reduced. Recycling helps us to conserve natural resources such as petroleum, timber, and water. Recycling may contribute to lower pollution of air, water, and soil during manufacture.

Which of the following options correctly describe addition polymers? Select all that apply.

The monomers of addition polymers usually contain a C=C double bond. The formation of an addition polymer often involves a radical initiator.

Which of the following statements correctly describe true recycling? Select all that apply.

True recycling needs to be marketed in order to have a consumer base for the products produced. True recycling requires synergy by many different people and agencies. True recycling involves a closed loop where materials are collected, sorted, and converted into consumer products that are later recycled.

Which of the following are examples of shifting baselines? Select all that apply.

Which of the following are examples of shifting baselines? Select all that apply.

The term "shifting baseline" refers to _____.

a change in what people expect as "normal"

Five of the "big six" polymers undergo _____ polymerization.

addition

An amino acid contains a(n) _____ and a(n) _____.

amine carboxylic acid

The waste most produced in the United States is of _____ origin.

biological

A thermoplastic polymer _____.

can be melted and reshaped with heat

Polymers that are formed by a combination of functional groups such that a small molecule (e.g., water) is eliminated are known as ______ polymers.

condensation

The repeating head-to-tail monomer arrangement is the most common for PVC, PP, and PS. This arrangement provides more _____ regions in the polymer.

crystalline

Polymers can possess different regions, which are characterized by the degree of order in the polymer chains. Regions of the polymer that are very ordered are called _____ regions, whereas regions of the polymer that are very disordered are called _____ regions.

crystalline; amorphous

An addition polymer is formed when two monomers containing bonds react in the presence of a(n) initiator.

double; free radical

True or false: A recycled-content product must be composed entirely of one type of recycled plastic.

false

A phenyl group ______. (Select all that apply.)

has the formula -C6H5 is composed of a 6-membered ring of carbon atoms

Ethylene is the smallest member in the family of _____ containing a carbon-carbon _____ bond.

hydrocarbons; double

Dispersion forces are a type of _____ force that causes an attraction between molecules that results from a distortion of the _____ cloud that causes an uneven distribution of charge.

intermolecular; electron

Match each hydrocarbon group with the correct formula.

methyl ----> -CH3 phenyl ----> -C6H5

The small repeating units used to synthesize polymers are called _______.

monomers

Waste such as leftover lasagna, old toaster ovens, and grass clippings are considered to be _____ solid waste.

municipal

Sustainable packaging ______. (Select all that apply.)

optimizes the use of renewable or recycled source materials is recovered effectively after use is safe and healthy for individuals throughout its life cycle

The bond between one amino acid and another (shown) is called a(n) _____ bond. This type of bond is an example of the _____ functional group.

peptide; amide

The term _____ is sometimes used as a synonym for synthetic polymer.

plastic

A compound that is added in small amounts to make a polymer more soft and pliable is called a(n) _____.

plasticizer

The backbone of both proteins and nylon are linked by the same functional group making them both _____.

polyamides

A molecule made up of many repeating units linked together is called a(n) ________, while the repeating units are called _______.

polymer; monomers

A ___________-____________ product is fabricated from different percentages and types of recycled materials.

recycled-content