Starter quiz
A solution contained the hazard symbol shown in the image. What does this hazard symbol mean?- toxic ✓
- flammable
- oxidising
- corrosive
- explosive
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- What are the products from the complete combustion of ethene?
- carbon dioxide ✓
- hydrogen
- oxygen
- water ✓
- methane
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- Which of the following are physical properties of a plastic carrier bag?
- flexible ✓
- strong ✓
- electrical conductor
- low boiling point
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- How could we dispose of plastic polymer waste?
- landfill sites ✓
- recycling ✓
- metal scrapyard
- polymerisation
- incineration ✓
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- Which of the following are examples of raw materials?
- wood ✓
- textbook
- metal ✓
- crude oil ✓
- clothing
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- Which of the following are disadvantages of landfill?
- It is inconvenient to dispose of waste at landfill.
- Landfill may destroy habitats. ✓
- Methane gas is released from landfill sites. ✓
- Landfill conserves crude oil.
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Exit quiz
- Poly(propene) is strong and flexible which makes it suitable for use in which item?
- pans
- cutlery
- guttering
- rope ✓
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- What is the name of the process that involves turning waste material into new products?
- 'recycling' ✓
- Which of the following are advantages of disposing of polymer waste by incineration?
- Releases energy that can be used to generate electricity. ✓
- Prevents the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
- Reduces waste sent to landfill. ✓
- Prevents the release of toxic gases, such as HCl, into the atmosphere.
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- What is a problem of incinerating a polymer that contains chlorine atoms?
- It conserves crude oil.
- It increases waste sent ot landfill.
- It releases energy that can be used to generate electricity.
- It may produce toxic gas. ✓
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- Which of the following statements about the raw material crude oil are true?
- Crude oil is finite. ✓
- Crude oil can be processed to produce alkenes. ✓
- Crude oil is a renewable energy resource.
- Recycling polymers conserves crude oil. ✓
- Crude oil is the raw material in the food industry.
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- Which of the following are costs associated with recycling waste polymers?
- Incineration equipment.
- Labour to sort the polymers. ✓
- Landfill waste collection lorries.
- Energy to manufacture a new product. ✓
- Labour to monitor fly tipping.
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Worksheet
Presentation
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- The uses of polymers are related to their properties.
- There are many problems associated with polymers (e.g. availability of raw materials, landfill, combustion).
- There are many advantages and disadvantages to recycling polymers (e.g. economical and environmental).
Common misconception
Thinking that the polymer identification codes mean that all these polymers can be recycled as the symbols look similar to the recycling symbol.
Only some polymers can be recycled. These normally have the code 1 or 2.
Keywords
Properties - Properties are features or characteristics of a substance that can be used to classify it, or describe how it behaves.
Landfill - Landfill is a waste disposal site. At landfill sites the waste is buried between layers of soil and other unreactive material.
Combustion - Combustion is an exothermic reaction where a substance reacts with oxygen.
Recycling - Recycling is a process that involves turning waste material into new products.
Raw materials - The starting materials used to make products are known as the raw materials. Wood, metal and crude oil are examples of raw materials.