Question

What are characteristics of plastics?

Answer 1

Dear Student

Properties of plastics:
1) Poor conductor of heat and electricity: Plastics are insulators. This property is very advantageous for us. Their resistance to heat makes them useful in the handles of cooking utensils and their resistance to electricity makes them useful in many applications such as insulation on wires, switchboard cover, etc. Handles of screwdrivers are made up of plastic to avoid electric shock.

2) Can be moulded into any shape: This property of plastic comes in really handy as they are used to make different things of various sizes and shapes, such as plastic bottles, plastic wrappers, rubber bands and so on.

3) Chemically inert: Plastics do not react with air or water. They are resistant to corrosion. Many plastics are not even affected by most acids and bases.

4) Light in weight: Plastics are easier to carry and handle as compared to metals, wood and alloys because they are light in weight.

5) Transparent and Flexible

6) Non-biodegradable: This is not a good property as it is harmful to our environment.

7) inexpensive: Plastics are cheaper and easily affordable.

All these properties make plastic very versatile for us. However, the use of plastic is really bad for our environment and hence, we should minimize its use as much as we can.

Regards