Producing Useful Materials - 2

Calvin was using a heavy duty glue one afternoon after learning about synthetic materials. Chemists create different kinds of new products based on their knowledge of the properties of substances and how they react with each other. Sometimes, chemists create a product different than what they intended to create, like the type of glue Calvin used. What kind of product was this type of glue?

Luisa drinks water from plastic bottles. She knows the bottles are formed from synthetic polymers that are created in a chemical reaction. She also knows that synthetic materials can cause problems. Which statement explains one kind of problem that can develop from using synthetic materials such as plastic?

Ethylene is a colorless gas composed of two carbon atoms and two hydrogen atoms that burns when lit. It is derived mostly from oil and natural gas, although it is also found in plants. Polyethylene is a plastic polymer composed of repeating units of ethylene monomers. The plastic, which is relatively soft and flexible, can be formed into almost any shape. It is used mostly in plastic bags and containers for liquids. Polyethylene is very durable because it is resistant to breakdown by many kinds of chemicals. Which of these characteristics would be considered a drawback of plastic? Mark all that apply.

Robert is researching alternative fuels and learns about different types of alcohol. They can be synthesized from wood and grasses or produced from crops that are already grown in many parts of the world. When mixed with gasoline, alcohol raises the octane, which makes the gasoline burn more efficiently. It also reduces the amount of pollutants released. Robert makes notes about a number of characteristics of alcohol fuels, as listed below. Which characteristics would be classified as a BENEFIT? Check all that apply.