Question

(a) Explain the difference between thermoplastic and thermosetting plastics based on the arrangement of monomers. [1 mark]
(b) Explain why the saucepan handles are made of thermosetting plastics. [1 mark]
(c) ‘Avoid plastics as far as possible’. Comment on this advice. [2 marks]

Answer 1

(a) In thermoplastics, the monomeric units are linearly-linked whereas, in thermosetting plastics, monomeric units are cross-linked. [1 mark]

(b) Saucepan handles are made of thermosetting plastics because thermosetting plastics are poor conductors of heat and resist the burning and deformation of shape on heating. [1 mark]

(c) We should avoid plastics as much as possible due to the following reasons:

• Plastics are non-biodegradable in nature. [1 mark]
• The burning of plastics releases poisonous gases and causes air pollution. [1 mark]