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New
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Year 11
Edexcel
Foundation

Polymer properties and problems

I can relate the uses of certain polymers to their properties and describe methods of reducing the problems associated with polymers.

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New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Foundation

Polymer properties and problems

I can relate the uses of certain polymers to their properties and describe methods of reducing the problems associated with polymers.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The uses of polymers are related to their properties.
  2. There are many problems associated with polymers (e.g. availability of raw materials, landfill, combustion).
  3. 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.

Have a selection of different polymer products so students can see they have different properties and uses.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
A solution contained the hazard symbol shown in the image. What does this hazard symbol mean?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: toxic
flammable
oxidising
corrosive
explosive
Q2.
What are the products from the complete combustion of ethene?
Correct answer: carbon dioxide
hydrogen
oxygen
Correct answer: water
methane
Q3.
Which of the following are physical properties of a plastic carrier bag?
Correct answer: flexible
Correct answer: strong
electrical conductor
low boiling point
Q4.
How could we dispose of plastic polymer waste?
Correct answer: landfill sites
Correct answer: recycling
metal scrapyard
polymerisation
Correct answer: incineration
Q5.
Which of the following are examples of raw materials?
Correct answer: wood
textbook
Correct answer: metal
Correct answer: crude oil
clothing
Q6.
Which of the following are disadvantages of landfill?
It is inconvenient to dispose of waste at landfill.
Correct answer: Landfill may destroy habitats.
Correct answer: Methane gas is released from landfill sites.
Landfill conserves crude oil.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Poly(propene) is strong and flexible which makes it suitable for use in which item?
pans
cutlery
guttering
Correct answer: rope
Q2.
What is the name of the process that involves turning waste material into new products?
Correct Answer: recycling
Q3.
Which of the following are advantages of disposing of polymer waste by incineration?
Correct answer: Releases energy that can be used to generate electricity.
Prevents the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Correct answer: Reduces waste sent to landfill.
Prevents the release of toxic gases, such as HCl, into the atmosphere.
Q4.
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.
Correct answer: It may produce toxic gas.
Q5.
Which of the following statements about the raw material crude oil are true?
Correct answer: Crude oil is finite.
Correct answer: Crude oil can be processed to produce alkenes.
Crude oil is a renewable energy resource.
Correct answer: Recycling polymers conserves crude oil.
Crude oil is the raw material in the food industry.
Q6.
Which of the following are costs associated with recycling waste polymers?
Incineration equipment.
Correct answer: Labour to sort the polymers.
Landfill waste collection lorries.
Correct answer: Energy to manufacture a new product.
Labour to monitor fly tipping.