Chemistry

Polymers and Plastics

1,228 Questions

Polymers and plastics questions explore the properties, synthesis, and applications of various synthetic and natural polymers. Key topics include biodegradable plastics, vulcanization, and polymer nanocomposites. These concepts are frequently tested in science and engineering competitive exams.

Biodegradable plasticsPolymer nanocompositesVulcanization of rubberPolymer molecular weightAsphalt binders

Polymers and Plastics Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following are naturally occurring polymers?

  1. Buna-S, Cellulose, Dacron

  2. Starch, cellulose and pectin

  3. Starch, cellulose and nylon

  4. Cellulose, proteins and polyester

  5. Starch, proteins and teflon
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Starch, cellulose and pectin: All the three are natural polymers.

Multiple choice

Which of the followings sets contain only thermosetting polymers?

  1. Bakelite, Melmac, PMMA

  2. PVC, Bakelite, Polystyrene

  3. Vulcanized rubber, Bakelite, PVC

  4. Vulcanized rubber, Bakelite, Urea-formaldehyde resin

  5. Bakelite, Urea-formaldehyde resin, polystyrene
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Vulcanized rubber, Bakelite and Urea-formaldehyde resin all are Thermosetting polymers.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements about polyamides is/are false? (A) PA 6/66 is made from caprolactam, hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid. (B) PA 6I is an amorphous polymer and made from the polymerisation of hexamethylenediamine and isosebacic acid. (C) Trogamid from Solvay industries is an aliphatic polyamide.

  1. Only A

  2. Only B

  3. Only A and B

  4. Only B and C

  5. Only A and C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

(A) PA 6/66 (nylon 6/66) is a copolymer and is made from caprolactam, hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid. (B) PA 6I (nylon 6I) is an amorphous polymer, made from the polymerisation of hexamethylenediamine and isophthalic acid. PA 66/610 (nylon 66/610) is made from hexamethylenediamine, adipic acid and sebacic acid. (C) Amodel from Solvay industries and Trogamid from Evonik Industries are semi-aromatic polyamide and is made from the polymerisation of hexamethylenediamine and terephthalic acid. Hence, B and C both the statements are false.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are incorrect? A. Nylon 2,6 is a biodegradable polymer. B. Glyptal is the condensation polymer of ethylene glycol and phthalic acid. It is used in the manufacture of making of combs and computer discs. C. UFR is used in the making of unbreakable cups and laminated sheets.

  1. Only A

  2. Only B

  3. Only C

  4. Only A and B

  5. Only B and C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A. Nylon 2–nylon 6 (nylon 2,6) is an alternating polyamide copolymer of glycine and amino caproic acid and is biodegradable. B. Glyptal is the condensation polymer of ethylene glycol and phthalic acid. It is used in the manufacture of paints and lacquers. Bakelite is the condensation polymer of phenol and formaldehyde. It is used in the making of combs, electrical switches, hardness of utensils and computer discs. C. Urea formaldehyde resin (UFR) is the condensation polymer of urea and formaldehyde and is used in the making of unbreakable cups and laminated sheets. Hence, only statement B is not true.

Multiple choice

Which of the following rubber is biocompatible?

  1. PVC

  2. PP

  3. PHBV

  4. PMMA

  5. PVAc
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A large number of polymers are quite resistant to the environmental degradation processes, and are thus responsible for the accumulation of polymeric solid waste materials. It is obtained by the copolymerisation of 3-hydroxybutanoic acid and 3 - hydroxypentanoic acid. PHBV is used in speciality packaging, orthopedic devices and in controlled release of drugs. PHBV undergoes bacterial degradation in the environment. The examples of non-biodegradable polymers are- PMMA (poly methyl methacrylate), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PVAc (polyvinyl acetate), PFR (phenol formaldehyde resin), PP (polypropylene), etc.

Multiple choice

Which of the following pairs represents epoxy resins?

  1. BPF, EPN

  2. PVAc, BPF

  3. EPN, PVA

  4. PVA, PVAc

  5. BPA, PVA
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Epoxy resins, also known as polyepoxides are a class of reactive prepolymers and polymers, which contain epoxide groups. Epoxy resins may be reacted (cross-linked) either with themselves through catalytic homopolymerisation, or with a wide range of co-reactants including polyfunctional amines, acids (and acid anhydrides), phenols, alcohols, and thiols. Examples are- Bisphenol A (BPA), Bisphenol F (BPF), Epoxy phenol novolac (EPN), etc. Examples of polyvinyl resins are- PVA (poly vinyl alcohol), PVAc (poly vinyl acetate), etc.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are incorrect? (A) In the vulcanisation of rubber, a solution of S2Cl2 in CO2 is used. (B) Buna-N is copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile. (C) Cellulose mononitrate is called commercially as Celluloid, used in photographic films.

  1. Only A

  2. Only B

  3. Only C

  4. Only A and B

  5. Only B and C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

(A) Vulcanisation is a chemical process for converting natural rubber or related polymers into more durable materials via the addition of sulphur or a solution of S2Cl2 in CS2. (B) Buna-N is the copolymer of butadiene and acrylonitrile. (C) Cellulose is treated with sulphuric acid and potassium nitrate to give cellulose mononitrate. This was used commercially as Celluloid, a highly flammable plastic used in the first half of the 20th Century for lacquers and photographic film. Hence, statement A is only incorrect.

Multiple choice

On the basis of molecular forces, which one of the following pair represents only elastomers?

  1. Buna-S, bakelite

  2. PVC, polythene

  3. Viton, bromobutyl

  4. Viton, PVC

  5. Neoprene, nylon-6,6
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A large number of polymer applications in different fields depend on their unique mechanical properties like tensile strength, elasticity, toughness, etc. These mechanical properties are governed by intermolecular forces, e.g., van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds, present in the polymer. These forces also bind the polymer chains. Under this category, the polymers are classified into the following four sub groups on the basis of magnitude of intermolecular forces present in them- elastomers, fibers, thermoplastic and thermosetting. Elastomers are rubber – like solids with elastic properties. In these elastomeric polymers, the polymer chains are held together by the weakest intermolecular forces. These weak binding forces permit the polymer to be stretched. A few ‘crosslinks’ are introduced in between the chains, which help the polymer to retract to its original position after the force is released as in vulcanised rubber. Examples are buna-S, buna-N, neoprene, Bromo Isobutylene Isoprene (bromobutyl), Viton (a brand of synthetic rubber and fluoropolymer elastomer commonly used in O-rings and other molded or extruded goods), etc.