Question 1

Polymers that contain an electronegative atom in their structure tend to biodegrade more easily than those that do not.

Accepted Answer

Electronegative atoms, such as oxygen or nitrogen, can create polar bonds and increase the likelihood of interactions with water molecules. This makes the polymer more susceptible to hydrolysis and enzymatic degradation, leading to easier biodegradation.

Question 2

The resin ID code on plastic, numbered 1 through 6,&#10;A)gives an indication of how many polymers are contained in the plastic.&#10;B)indicates how easily recycled each plastic is.&#10;C)indicates how many new polymers can be created from the plastic.&#10;D)indicates how many years ago the plastic was manufactured.&#10;E)tells you how many times the plastic has been remolded.&#10;

Accepted Answer

The resin ID code on plastic, numbered 1 through 6, indicates how easily recycled each plastic is. The numbers 1 and 2 are the most easily recycled, while materials with the numbers 3-6 are less commonly accepted by recycling programs. The code does not indicate the number of polymers or when the plastic was manufactured, nor does it indicate how many times the plastic has been remolded.

Question 3

Is this statement true or false? Explain.&#34;Sustainability is a way to use products in a linear fashion.&#34;&#10;A)This statement is true.Sustainable processes use all items in a process (using all items is said to be using them in a linear fashion).&#10;B)This statement is true.Sustainable processes use and produce products in a step-by-step way, or in other words, linearly.&#10;C)This statement is false.Sustainable processes re-use items so that the process is considered to be circular, not linear.&#10;

Accepted Answer

The statement is false because sustainable processes re-use items, making the process circular rather than linear. Linear use implies a one-time use and disposal, which is not sustainable. Instead, sustainable practices aim to create closed-loop systems where materials are reused and repurposed, creating a circular process.

Question 4

About what percentage of the plastic made around the world each year winds up in the ocean?&#10;A)10%&#10;B)15%&#10;C)20%&#10;D)30%&#10;E)50%&#10;

Accepted Answer

About 20% of the plastic made around the world each year winds up in the ocean.

Question 5

Polylactic acid is not easily recycled because&#10;A)it is made from straight chain polymers.&#10;B)it must be degraded into its monomers when it is recycled.&#10;C)it is a thermosetting polymer.&#10;D)it contains electronegative atoms.&#10;E)none of the above&#10;

Accepted Answer

Polylactic acid is a thermoplastic polymer, meaning it can be melted and reformed. However, it is not easily recycled because it must be degraded into its monomers (lactic acid) before it can be recycled. This process is not yet cost-effective on a large scale, which limits the potential for PLA recycling.

Question 6

Polyisoprene is the primary component of natural rubber and is also used to make&#10;A)nylon leggings.&#10;B)sunglass frames.&#10;C)chewing gum.&#10;D)contact lenses.&#10;E)all of the above&#10;

Accepted Answer

Polyisoprene is used as a base material in chewing gum, providing its elastic and cohesive properties. While polyisoprene could potentially be used in the other products listed, they are typically made from different materials such as nylon, plastic, or silicone.

Question 7

Most bottled water comes from&#10;A)pure mountain streams.&#10;B)filtered municipal water.&#10;C)recycled waste water.&#10;D)small ponds and lakes.&#10;E)desalinated ocean water.&#10;

Accepted Answer

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, about 25% of bottled water is just tap water that has been treated (i.e. filtered) and sold in a bottle.

Question 8

The prefix poly- means&#10;A)not.&#10;B)many.&#10;C)quickly.&#10;D)plastic.&#10;E)none of these&#10;

Accepted Answer

The prefix "poly-" comes from the Greek word "polys," which means "many." Therefore, the correct answer is B, as it signifies "many."

Question 9

If a piece of plastic waste is not recycled and it doesn't make its way to a landfill or waterway (river, lake, ocean, stream, etc.), what is its most likely fate? Assume that it is disposed of and not left on the side of a road or carelessly discarded.

A)It will break down into small enough pieces that are not visible to the naked eye.
B)It will be incinerated.
C)It will be put outside so that the sun can melt it.
D)It will be stored until future generations come up with a way to re-use it more efficiently than present methods allow.

Accepted Answer

If the plastic waste is not recycled and doesn't make its way to landfill or waterways, the most likely fate would be incineration. Many countries have waste-to-energy plants that incinerate solid waste to generate electricity.

Question 10

Polylactic acid is a sustainable polymer because&#10;A)it breaks down easily.&#10;B)it is made from fast-growing plants.&#10;C)it is used to make products that can be broken down and made into other plastics.&#10;D)it is made from slow-growing trees.&#10;E)none of the above&#10;

Accepted Answer

Polylactic acid (PLA) is made from renewable resources such as corn, sugarcane, or other fast-growing plants. This makes it a sustainable polymer as it reduces dependence on non-renewable resources like fossil fuels. Additionally, PLA can break down easily in certain conditions, making it an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics. However, it is important to note that PLA production still requires significant energy and resources, and proper disposal and recycling methods need to be implemented to fully realize its sustainability potential.

Question 11

Which of the following can be made from recycled plastics?&#10;A)clothing&#10;B)buildings&#10;C)paint&#10;D)toothbrushes&#10;E)all of the above&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following can be made...

Question 12

A crystallite is&#10;A)a plastic that is translucent.&#10;B)a highly ordered crystalline region in a polymer.&#10;C)a plastic whose shape cannot be molded.&#10;D)a plastic that will not form cross-links within the structure.&#10;E)all of the above&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of A crystallite is&#10;A)a plastic that is translucent.&#10;B)a...

Question 13

A thermoplastic polymer&#10;A)is a polymer that, once heated to high temperatures, cannot be remolded into a new shape.&#10;B)is always rigid and inflexible.&#10;C)can be heated to become pliable and then remolded into a new shape.&#10;D)contains high numbers of crystallites that make the plastic inflexible.&#10;E)is made of the polymer Bakelite.&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of A thermoplastic polymer&#10;A)is a polymer that, once...

Question 14

Which of these polymers melts the most readily?&#10;A)HDPE&#10;B)PVC&#10;C)PET&#10;D)polystyrene&#10;E)polypropylene&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of these polymers melts the most...

Question 15

Which of the following products is NOT made from a thermoplastic polymer?&#10;A)plastic dinnerware&#10;B)cell phone cases&#10;C)contact lenses&#10;D)a phone made of Bakelite&#10;E)a plastic chair&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following products is NOT...

Question 16

Why does so much plastic waste end up in the North Pacific Ocean Gyre?&#10;A)Ocean currents travelling in difference directions pass each other and create a vortex which traps any plastic floating on the currents.&#10;B)The main current from China, the world's largest producer of plastic, dumps out into the North Pacific Ocean Gyre.&#10;C)All global currents meet here so any plastic that makes its way into the ocean will be trapped here.&#10;D)There are many large container boating accidents in the vicinity.Most plastic waste in the ocean comes from container ships.&#10;

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why does so much plastic waste end...

Deck 13: Sustainability and Recycling Finding Better Ways to Use and Reuse Our Resources