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 copolymerisation types of polymerisation reactions polymer polymers chemistry

Which of the following represents the example of a homopolymer ?

  1. PMMA

  2. Bakelite
  3. Nylon - $6,\:6$

  4. Neoprene
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A,D Correct answer
Explanation

When a polymer is made by linking only one type of small molecule or monomer together, it is called a homopolymer, e.g. PMMA and Neoprene.


When two different types of monomers are joined in the same polymer chain, the polymer is called a co-polymer, e.g., Nylon - $6,:6$ and Bakelite.

Multiple choice copolymerisation types of polymerisation reactions polymer polymers chemistry

Which of the following is a co-polymer ?

  1. Polytetrafluoroethylene

  2. Polyvinyl chloride

  3. Polyethylene
  4. Nylon - $6, \:6$

  5. Natural rubber
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A polymer derived from more than one species of monomer is a co-polymer e.g. Nylon - $6,:6$. 


All others are formed by following single monomers: 
Polytetrafluoroethylene - tetrafluoroethylene, 
Polyvinyl chloride - vinyl chloride, 
Polyethylene - ethylene and
 Natural rubber or polyisoprene - isoprene ($2$-methyl-$1,:3$-butadiene).

Multiple choice copolymerisation types of polymerisation reactions polymer polymers chemistry

Which of the following is an alternative copolymer?

  1. Styrene

  2. Neoprene
  3. Nylon - $2$ - nylon - $6$
  4. Nylon - $6$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Alternative polymers are those polymers which are formed by only two monomeric units which are alternatively arranged in polymeric chain Nylon - $2$ - nylon - $6$.
The formation is shown in the reaction below:
$HOOC-(CH _2) _4-COOH + H _2N-(CH _2) _2-NH _2 \rightarrow -[NH(CH _2) _2NHCO(CH _2) _4CO] _n- + nH _2O$

Multiple choice copolymerisation types of polymerisation reactions polymer polymers chemistry

Orion and Acrilan are fibres of well-known textile materials of the same name. They are copolymers of:

  1. styrene and butadiene

  2. alcohol and ester

  3. acrylonitrile and 2-vinylpyridine

  4. methane and acetone
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Orlon is also known as polyacrylonitrile hence is the copolymer of acrylonitrile.

Acrilan is also a copolymer of acrylonitrile.

Multiple choice copolymerisation types of polymerisation reactions polymer polymers chemistry

Vinylite resins are copolymers of vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride. They are resistant to wear and tear to chemicals. One of their well-known uses is in:

  1. floor coverings

  2. ropes

  3. tyres

  4. electrical insulators
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

$\text{Vinylite resins are well known used in Floor coverings so that to resist chemicals from it.}$

Multiple choice copolymerisation types of polymerisation reactions polymer polymers chemistry

Which of the following is not a homopolymer?

  1. Butyl rubber

  2. Neoprene

  3. Natural rubber

  4. Nitrile rubber
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A,D Correct answer
Explanation
A homopolymer plastic is one that is produced by the polymerization of a single monomer.
Butyl rubber, sometimes just called "butyl", is a synthetic rubber, a copolymer of isobutylene with isoprene. 
Neoprene is a homopolymer of chlorobutadiene.
Natural rubber is from the monomer isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene).
Nitrile rubber, also known as Buna-N, is a synthetic rubber copolymer of acrylonitrile (ACN) and butadiene. 
Thus Butyl rubber and nitrile rubber are not homopolymers
Options A  and D are correct.
Multiple choice copolymerisation types of polymerisation reactions polymer polymers chemistry

Which of the following polymers contains $1,: 3$-butadiene as one of the monomers ?

  1. Butyl rubber

  2. Nitrile rubber

  3. ABS plastic

  4. SBR
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B,C,D Correct answer
Explanation
The polymers Nitrile rubber,  ABS plastic and SBR contains $1,\: 3$-butadiene as one of the monomers. 

Butyl rubber is copolymer of isobutylene and isoprene.  

Nitrile rubber (Buna - N) is copolymer of acrylonitrile and $1,\: 3$-butadiene.
 
ABS plastic is copolymer of $1,\: 3$-butadiene and acrylonitrile. 

SBR (Buna S) is copolymer of $1,\: 3$-butadiene and styrene.
Multiple choice chemistry measurement and data processing and analysis spectroscopic identification of organic compounds materials science introduction superconducting metals and x-ray crystallography

Joining of monomers to form polymers is called as :

  1. polymerization

  2. hydrolysis

  3. condensation

  4. none of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Polymerization is the process of combining many small molecules known as monomers into a covalently bonded chain or network. 


During the polymerization process, some chemical groups may be lost from each monomer. 

The distinct piece of each monomer that is incorporated into the polymer is known as a repeat unit or monomer residue.

Hence the correct option is A.

Multiple choice chemistry measurement and data processing and analysis spectroscopic identification of organic compounds materials science introduction superconducting metals and x-ray crystallography

What is a macromolecule?

  1. A huge molecule made up of smaller sub units called monomers

  2. A huge molecule made up of smaller sub units called polymers

  3. A huge molecule found only in living things

  4. A huge molecule that contains carbon

  5. A molecule made of larger subpieces
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A macromolecule is a term used to contrast a micromolecule (which is smaller in size and in molecular weight). Macromolecules are usually used to refer to large biological polymers, such as nucleic acids and proteins, which are made up of small monomers linked together.

Multiple choice chemistry combustion extinguishing fire ways to control fire combustion, fuels and flame

Some uses of chlorine and bromine are given.
Which is a use of bromine?

  1. making bleaches for textiles and the the paper industry

  2. making CFC's

  3. making flame retardants and fire extinguishers

  4. making the polymer PVC
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In general, the stability of bromine in a typical flame retardant molecule means that the molecule can offer the highest activity as a flame active retardant, while also being cost effective.  The choice of flame retardant systems for any particular application depends on how the material decomposes in a fire, as well as the materials’ physical property. Brominated flame retardants, because they act in the flame, can be used in just about every application.

Multiple choice chemistry manmade materials synthetic rubber rubber polymer

In vulcanization of rubber :

  1. sulphur reacts to form a new compound

  2. sulphur cross-links are introduced

  3. sulphur forms a very thin protective layer over rubber

  4. all statements are correct
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Vulcanisation of rubber-

To improve these physical properties,
  • Strength
  • Resistance for oxidation
  • Repulsion from water
 a process of vulcanisation is carried out. This process consists of heating a mixture of raw rubber with sulphur and an appropriate additive at a temperature range between $373 K to 415 K.$ On vulcanisation, sulphur forms cross links at the reactive sites of double bonds and thus the rubber gets stiffened.

The correct option is [B].

Multiple choice chemistry polymer synthetic rubber rubber manmade materials

Sulphur is used in  the vulcanization of rubber.

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Vulcanization is a chemical process for converting natural rubber into a more durable material by adding sulphur or other equivalent curatives. This process creates cross-links between polymer chains.

Multiple choice chemistry polymer synthetic rubber rubber manmade materials

Vulcanization of rubber helps to make rubber hard and resistant to hot and cold conditions.

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Vulcanization is a process in which the strength, stability, and elasticity of rubber are increased by subjecting it to heat, in the presence of sulphur. As a result, cross-linking occurs between the chains of rubber molecules and sulphur atoms.

Multiple choice chemistry manmade materials synthetic rubber rubber polymer

The synthetic polymer which resembles natural rubber is:

  1. Neoprene

  2. Buna-S

  3. Nylon

  4. Rayon
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Neoprene resembles natural rubber. 


Natural rubber is a linear polymer of $2$-methyl-$1,:3$-butadiene called as isoprene and Neoprene is a linear polymer of $2$-chloro-$1,:3$-butadiene called as chloroprene.

Option A is correct.

Multiple choice chemistry manmade materials synthetic rubber rubber polymer

Chloroprene is used in making

  1. synthetic rubber

  2. plastic

  3. petrol

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Chloroprene is the monomer of neoprene, a synthetic rubber formed by the free radical polymerisation of choloroprene.


$nCH _2-CCl-CH=CH _2 \xrightarrow {Polymerisation} -[CH _2-CCl=CH-CH _2]-$