Uses Of Polymers | Organic Chemistry | Chemistry | FuseSchool
Summary
TLDRThis video delves into the world of polymers, focusing on their formation, uses, and associated issues. It highlights natural polymers like rubber and DNA, as well as synthetic ones, commonly known as plastics. The script discusses various polymers such as polyethylene, PVC, and Kevlar, and their applications in packaging, construction, and textiles. It emphasizes the environmental impact of non-biodegradable plastics and the need for more sustainable alternatives. The video concludes by stressing the importance of recycling to conserve resources and reduce pollution.
Takeaways
- 🧪 Polymers are long-chain organic molecules formed by repeating monomer units.
- 🌿 Natural polymers include rubber, proteins, carbohydrates, and DNA.
- 🏗️ Synthetic polymers, commonly known as plastics, are widely used in packaging and construction.
- 🚮 Plastics account for nearly a quarter of all solid waste, highlighting the need for recycling.
- 🌱 Chemists aim to develop biodegradable plastics to reduce environmental impact.
- 🛍️ Examples of polymers include polyethylene for bags, high-density polyethylene for bottles, and polystyrene for packaging.
- 🧰 Polychloroethene (PVC) is used for windows, door frames, and plastic hinges.
- 🍳 Polytetrafluoroethene (PTFE) is known for its non-stick coating in cookware and low-friction applications.
- 🦺 Kevlar is a strong polymer used in bulletproof vests and jackets.
- 👗 Nylon is utilized in textiles, clothing, and carpets due to its strength and durability.
- ♻️ Recycling plastics is crucial for conserving crude oil, a key resource for producing polymers.
- 🔥 Burning polymers can release toxic gases, causing environmental harm and pollution.
Q & A
What are polymers?
-Polymers are long chain organic molecules made by repeating monomer units.
What are some examples of natural polymers?
-Natural polymers include rubber, proteins, carbohydrates, and DNA.
Why are synthetic polymers commonly known as plastics?
-Synthetic polymers are commonly known as plastics because they are synthetically made and are used frequently in various applications in our daily lives.
What percentage of solid waste is attributed to plastic?
-Nearly one quarter of all the solid waste is plastic.
What is a long-term goal for chemists regarding plastics?
-A long-term goal for chemists is to develop more biodegradable plastics that would naturally break down in the environment.
What is the common use of polyethylene?
-Polyethylene is used for carrier bags and sheet plastics.
What are some applications of high-density polyethylene?
-High-density polyethylene is used for drain pipes, water bottles, and containers.
Why is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) used in non-stick coatings?
-PTFE has a non-stick property and is also used for low friction surfaces, making it ideal for non-stick coatings on frying pans and bearings.
What unique property does Kevlar have that makes it suitable for bulletproof vests?
-Kevlar has a unique strength and durability that allows it to be used in the production of bulletproof vests and jackets.
How are most alkene monomers used to make polymers obtained?
-Most alkene monomers used to make polymers are obtained in some part from crude oil.
What is the primary environmental concern with the disposal of polymers?
-The primary environmental concern with the disposal of polymers is that they are non-biodegradable, meaning they do not break down naturally and can persist in the environment.
What are the potential environmental impacts of burning polymers?
-Burning polymers can generate heat for electricity but also produces toxic gases that can damage the environment and cause pollution.
Outlines
🔬 Introduction to Polymers and Plastics
This paragraph introduces the topic of polymers, explaining that they are long-chain organic molecules formed by repeating monomer units. It distinguishes between natural polymers, such as rubber, proteins, carbohydrates, and DNA, and synthetic polymers, commonly known as plastics. The paragraph emphasizes the ubiquity of plastics in everyday life, from packaging to construction materials. It also highlights the environmental issue of plastic waste, accounting for nearly a quarter of all solid waste, and the need for more biodegradable plastics. The paragraph concludes by mentioning the focus on synthetic polymers for the rest of the tutorial.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Polymers
💡Monomers
💡Synthetic Polymers
💡Biodegradable Plastics
💡Polyethylene
💡Polystyrene
💡Polypropylene
💡PVC (Polychloroethene)
💡PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethene)
💡Kevlar
💡Nylon
💡Recycling
💡Incineration
Highlights
Polymers are long chain organic molecules made by repeating monomer units.
Natural polymers include rubber, proteins, carbohydrates, and DNA.
Synthetic polymers, commonly known as plastics, are widely used in daily life.
Plastics contribute to nearly a quarter of all solid waste.
Recycling plastics is crucial to minimize environmental impact.
Chemists aim to develop biodegradable plastics for environmental sustainability.
Polyethylene is used for carrier bags and sheet plastics.
High-density polyethylene is used for drain pipes, water bottles, and containers.
Polystyrene is commonly used in packaging.
Polypropylene is used for bottle caps, plastic bottles, and plastic pipes.
Polychloroethene (PVC) is used for windows, door frames, and plastic hinges.
Polytetrafluoroethene (PTFE) is used for non-stick coatings and low-friction surfaces.
Kevlar is a unique polymer used in bulletproof vests and jackets.
Nylon is utilized in textiles, clothing, and carpets.
Polymers have unique properties that make them suitable for a wide range of applications.
Most alkene monomers for polymers are derived from crude oil, emphasizing the need for recycling.
Non-biodegradability of polymers is a significant environmental concern.
Burning polymers can generate electricity but produces toxic gases.
Understanding polymers' importance, uses, and problems is essential for their responsible application.
Transcripts
[Music]
in our previous videos we have explored
how polymers are formed and equations
for polymerization reactions
in this video we will explore in more
detail some different polymers and their
specific uses as well as the problems
associated with polymers
as you now know polymers are long chain
organic molecules made by repeating
monomer units
there are a number of natural polymers
in life such as rubber and even in our
own body we have natural polymers such
as proteins carbohydrates and dna to
name just a few
we will focus the rest of this tutorial
on synthetic polymers
the common name for synthetically made
polymers is plastics which are used very
frequently in our day-to-day lives
from simple packaging to complex
structural building materials
however the increased use of plastics in
our homes leads to nearly one quarter of
all the solid waste being plastic
some of this can be recycled to minimize
the effects on our environment
but a long-term goal for many chemists
is to develop more biodegradable
plastics which would naturally break
down in our environments
here are some specific examples of
polymers and their common uses
polyethylene used for carrier bags and
sheet plastics
high density polyethy used for drain
pipes water bottles and containers
polystyrene used in packaging
polypropylene used for bottle caps
plastic bottles and plastic pipes
polychloroethene often known as pvc and
is used for windows and door frames
plastic hinges and bottles
poly1122
tetrafluoroethene also known as ptfe
which is a non-stick coating on frying
pans as well as being used in bearings
on other low friction surfaces
kevlar is a unique polymer in that it
forms bulletproof vests and jackets
nylon is used in textiles clothing and
carpets
as you can see polymers play a huge role
in our day-to-day lives and their use is
wide and varied owing to their unique
individual properties
it is important to understand that most
of the alkene monomers
used to make polymers are obtained in
some part from crude oil
and therefore it is critical that we
recycle plastics to conserve our natural
resources for the future manufacture of
these polymers
there are also big problems associated
with the disposal of polymers
the biggest problem as mentioned above
is that polymers are non-biodegradable
which means that microorganisms cannot
naturally break them down
disposal of polymers by burning or
incineration is a possibility as this
generates heat which can be used to
generate electricity
however the burning of polymers produces
many toxic gases which themselves can
damage the environment and cause
pollution
now at the end of this lesson
you should have an appreciation of the
importance of polymers
be able to name some key polymers along
with their uses and also describe the
problems associated with polymers
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