Uses Of Polymers | Organic Chemistry | Chemistry | FuseSchool

Summary

This 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

00:00

🔬 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.

Keywords

💡Polymers

Polymers are long chain organic molecules composed of repeating monomer units. They are central to the video's theme as they are the main subject of discussion. The video explores both natural polymers, such as proteins and DNA, and synthetic polymers, commonly known as plastics. Examples from the script include rubber and the various types of plastics used in everyday life.

💡Monomers

Monomers are the small molecules that link together to form polymers through a process called polymerization. They are fundamental to understanding how polymers are created. The video mentions that polymers are made by repeating monomer units, highlighting their role in the formation of polymers.

💡Synthetic Polymers

Synthetic polymers, often referred to as plastics, are human-made polymers. The video focuses on these as they are widely used in various applications, from packaging to construction materials. The script discusses the prevalence of synthetic polymers in daily life and the environmental challenges they pose due to their non-biodegradable nature.

💡Biodegradable Plastics

Biodegradable plastics are a type of synthetic polymer that can be broken down by microorganisms into less harmful substances. The video mentions the development of biodegradable plastics as a long-term goal for chemists to address environmental concerns associated with traditional plastics.

💡Polyethylene

Polyethylene is a specific type of polymer known for its versatility and is used in the production of carrier bags and sheet plastics. It is highlighted in the script as an example of a polymer with specific uses, illustrating the diversity of applications for different types of polymers.

💡Polystyrene

Polystyrene is another polymer mentioned in the script, used primarily in packaging due to its lightweight and insulating properties. It exemplifies the wide range of polymers used in consumer products and the environmental issues they can cause if not properly managed.

💡Polypropylene

Polypropylene is a polymer used in the production of bottle caps, plastic bottles, and plastic pipes. The video script uses it as an example to show how specific polymers are tailored for particular applications, emphasizing the importance of polymer properties in their uses.

💡PVC (Polychloroethene)

PVC, or polychloroethene, is a polymer known for its strength and is commonly used in construction for windows, door frames, and plastic hinges. The script mentions PVC to demonstrate the use of polymers in building materials, contributing to the video's discussion on the ubiquity of polymers.

💡PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethene)

PTFE, or polytetrafluoroethene, is a polymer known for its non-stick properties, making it ideal for coatings on frying pans and in low-friction applications. The video uses PTFE to illustrate the unique properties of certain polymers and their specialized uses.

💡Kevlar

Kevlar is a unique polymer with exceptional strength and is used in the production of bulletproof vests and jackets. The video script highlights Kevlar to show how certain polymers have specific, high-performance applications that can save lives.

💡Nylon

Nylon is a polymer used in the textile industry for clothing, carpets, and other fabrics. The script mentions nylon to demonstrate the versatility of polymers in different industries, emphasizing their importance in everyday products.

💡Recycling

Recycling is the process of reusing materials, such as plastics, to conserve resources and reduce waste. The video discusses the importance of recycling polymers to minimize their environmental impact and to ensure the sustainability of natural resources for future polymer production.

💡Incineration

Incineration is the process of burning waste, including polymers, to generate heat, which can be used for electricity. The video mentions incineration as a disposal method for polymers but also cautions about the toxic gases produced, which can harm the environment.

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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