Question

Bakelite and polythene are both plastics. However, there is one major difference in their nature. What is the difference?

Answer 1

Bakelite is a thermosetting polymer i.e. they can be softened by heating only once i.e. once they are moulded and harden on cooling, they cannot be softened again. Whereas, polythene is a thermoplastic polymer i.e. softening and hardening can be repeated again and again.