L.O: TO BE ABLE TO DESCRIBE EXAMPLES OF POLYMERS AND HOW THEY ARE DESIGNED FOR THEIR JOB New and Useful Polymers.

L.O: TO BE ABLE TO DESCRIBE EXAMPLES

OF POLYMERS AND HOW THEY ARE

DESIGNED FOR THEIR JOB

New and Useful Polymers

© Association for Science Education and Centre for Science Education 2010

SSX

Polymer information 1Use this information to work out what polymer the objects are made from. Put your answers into a table

SS2

PE Poly(ethene) or polythene

•Widely used for packaging.

•Very unreactive with most chemicals, including concentrated sulfuric acid.

•Many different types.

•Melts between 105 ºC and 130 ºC.

•Recyclable, but most ends up in landfill where it is non-biodegradable .

PP Poly(propene)

•Many uses, e.g. packaging, ropes, textiles, car components, carpets.

•Can deteriorate as a result of chemical reactions when exposed to UV radiation (in sunlight), heat or oxygen. Additives can reduce these problems.

•Many different types.

•Melts between 130 ºC and 171 ºC.

•Often recycled. Non-biodegradable.

PS Polystyrene and expanded polystyrene

•Used for cutlery, models, CD cases. Used as packaging in its expanded form.

•Flows when heated, but becomes solid again on cooiing.

•Not usually recycled. A big pollutant on the seashore.

•May react with concentrated sulfuric acid

• Ignites easily – fire hazard.

PETE or PET Poly(ethene terephthalate)

•Used in synthetic fibres, drink and food containers. Mixed with glass fibres to make fibreglass for canoes and so on.

•When thin, is very flexible and so useful for food wrappers and space blankets.

•Melts at 260 ºC.

•Recyclable, but often incinerated or put into landfill.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/uses-of-polymers/1467.html

Creative task: design a poster on the uses of polymers

You must explain the polymers properties and how it is suited to its particular job.

Examples you could use: sticky plasters hydrogel plasters, spandex in tights, waterproofs, dental polymers, memory foam, hydrogel contact lenses, dissolving stitches, PET for plastic bottles.

For extra help refer to pages 190-191 AQA text book.

My baby (wees) urinates a lot!

My Baby’s nappy needs to hold up to 500ml of urine – predict which of the ‘nappy’ brands is best! Use only x1 scoop of each brand Record your evidence in a results table

Extension: Does more salty urine affect the hydrogels absorbency?