Uses Of Polymers | Organic Chemistry | Chemistry | FuseSchool

FuseSchool - Global Education

29 Oct 201903:52

EducationalLearning

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TLDRThis video delves into the world of polymers, highlighting both natural and synthetic forms, with a focus on plastics' widespread use and environmental impact. It explores various polymers like polyethylene, polypropylene, and Kevlar, detailing their applications from packaging to bulletproof vests. The script underscores the importance of recycling to conserve resources and the quest for biodegradable plastics, while also addressing the challenges of polymer disposal, such as non-biodegradability and the environmental hazards of incineration.

Takeaways

🧬 Polymers are long chain organic molecules with repeating monomer units, including natural polymers like rubber, proteins, carbohydrates, and DNA.
🛍️ Synthetic polymers, commonly known as plastics, are widely used in everyday life for packaging, construction, and various other applications.
🌐 Plastics contribute to a significant portion of solid waste, with nearly one quarter being plastic, highlighting the need for recycling and environmental conservation.
🔬 Chemists are working towards developing biodegradable plastics that can naturally break down, reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste.
🛠️ Specific polymers have distinct uses: polyethylene for bags and sheet plastics, high-density polyethylene for pipes and bottles, polystyrene for packaging, polypropylene for caps and bottles, PVC for window frames and bottles, PTFE for non-stick coatings and low-friction applications, Kevlar for bulletproof vests, and nylon for textiles.
🌱 Most alkene monomers used in polymer production are derived from crude oil, emphasizing the importance of recycling plastics to conserve resources for future manufacturing.
🚮 Disposal of polymers is a significant issue, as they are non-biodegradable and do not break down naturally, posing long-term environmental challenges.
🔥 Incineration of polymers can generate heat for electricity but also produces toxic gases that harm the environment and cause pollution.
🔬 Understanding the importance of polymers, their applications, and the associated problems is crucial for appreciating their role in modern society.
👍 The video encourages viewers to engage with the content by liking, subscribing, and commenting if they have questions, and also to explore the mentioned fusible app.

Q & A

What are polymers and what role do they play in our lives?
-Polymers are long chain organic molecules made by repeating monomer units. They play a significant role in our daily lives, with uses ranging from packaging materials to structural building components.
What are some examples of natural polymers mentioned in the script?
-Examples of natural polymers mentioned include rubber, proteins, carbohydrates, and DNA.
What is the common name for synthetically made polymers?
-The common name for synthetically made polymers is plastics.
How much of the solid waste is attributed to plastic according to the script?
-Nearly one quarter of all the solid waste is attributed to plastic.
Why is it important to develop biodegradable plastics?
-Developing biodegradable plastics is important to minimize environmental effects, as they would naturally break down in our environment.
What are some specific uses of the polymers mentioned in the script?
-Some uses include polyethylene for carrier bags and sheet plastics, high-density polyethylene for drain pipes and water bottles, polystyrene for packaging, polypropylene for bottle caps and plastic bottles, PVC for windows and door frames, PTFE for non-stick coatings and low friction surfaces, Kevlar for bulletproof vests, and nylon for textiles.
How are most of the alkene monomers used to make polymers obtained?
-Most of the alkene monomers used to make polymers are obtained in some part from crude oil.
What are the problems associated with the disposal of polymers?
-The main problems are that polymers are non-biodegradable, meaning they cannot be naturally broken down by microorganisms. Burning or incineration of polymers can generate heat for electricity but also produces toxic gases that can damage the environment and cause pollution.
What is the long-term goal for many chemists regarding the use of plastics?
-The long-term goal for many chemists is to develop more biodegradable plastics to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste.
Why is recycling plastics important according to the script?
-Recycling plastics is important to conserve natural resources for the future manufacture of these polymers and to minimize the environmental impact of plastic waste.
What is the script's suggestion for the end of the lesson?
-At the end of the lesson, viewers should have an appreciation of the importance of polymers, be able to name some key polymers along with their uses, and describe the problems associated with polymers.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Introduction to Polymers and Their Uses

This paragraph introduces the concept of polymers, highlighting their formation from repeating monomer units to create long chain organic molecules. It distinguishes between natural polymers like rubber and proteins, and synthetic polymers, commonly known as plastics. The paragraph emphasizes the ubiquity of plastics in everyday life, from packaging to construction materials, and touches on the environmental concerns associated with plastic waste. It also mentions the goal of developing biodegradable plastics and provides a list of specific polymers with their common uses, such as polyethylene for carrier bags and polystyrene for packaging.

🔬 The Role of Polymers in Modern Society

This section delves into the significant role polymers play in modern society, detailing their diverse applications due to their unique properties. It underscores the importance of recycling plastics to conserve natural resources, as most monomers are derived from crude oil. The paragraph also addresses the environmental challenges posed by the disposal of non-biodegradable polymers, such as the release of toxic gases when plastics are burned for energy generation. The summary concludes by emphasizing the need for an understanding of polymers' importance, their key types, uses, and the associated environmental problems.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Polymers

Polymers are long-chain organic molecules composed of repeating monomer units. They are central to the video's theme as it discusses both natural and synthetic polymers, highlighting their formation, uses, and the environmental challenges they pose. Examples from the script include proteins, carbohydrates, DNA, and various synthetic polymers like polyethylene and nylon.

💡Monomers

Monomers are the small molecules that link together to form polymers. They are the building blocks of polymers and are essential to understanding the composition of these materials. In the script, monomers are mentioned as the units that are repeated to create the long chains of polymers.

💡Synthetic Polymers

Synthetic polymers, commonly known as plastics, are polymers that are artificially made rather than occurring naturally. The video focuses on these polymers, discussing their widespread use and the environmental issues related to their disposal. The script provides examples of synthetic polymers such as polyethylene for carrier bags and polystyrene used in packaging.

💡Biodegradable Plastics

Biodegradable plastics are a type of synthetic polymer designed to break down naturally in the environment over time. The video mentions these as a long-term goal for chemists to address the environmental impact of non-biodegradable plastics. The development of such materials is crucial for reducing plastic pollution.

💡Polyethylene

Polyethylene is a specific type of polymer used in the production of carrier bags and sheet plastics. It is highlighted in the script as an example of a widely used synthetic polymer, illustrating the prevalence of polymers in everyday life.

💡High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

HDPE is a variant of polyethylene with a higher density, making it suitable for products like drain pipes, water bottles, and containers. The script uses HDPE to demonstrate the versatility of polymers in different applications.

💡Polystyrene

Polystyrene is a polymer known for its use in packaging materials due to its lightweight and insulating properties. The video script mentions it as an example of a polymer with specific uses in the packaging industry.

💡Polypropylene

Polypropylene is another polymer with a range of applications, including bottle caps, plastic bottles, and pipes. The script emphasizes its role in various consumer products, showcasing the diversity of polymer applications.

💡Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

PVC, also known as polychloroethene, is a polymer used in construction for windows, door frames, and other items due to its durability and resistance to corrosion. The script points out PVC as an example of polymers used in structural materials.

💡PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene)

PTFE, commonly known as Teflon, is a polymer renowned for its non-stick properties, used in cookware and low-friction applications like bearings. The script uses PTFE to illustrate the unique properties of certain polymers and their specific uses.

💡Kevlar

Kevlar is a high-strength synthetic polymer used in the production of bulletproof vests and jackets due to its exceptional tensile strength. The video script highlights Kevlar as a unique polymer with specialized applications in personal protective equipment.

💡Nylon

Nylon is a polymer with widespread use in the textile industry for manufacturing clothing, carpets, and other fabric products. The script mentions nylon to demonstrate the versatility of polymers in different industries beyond packaging and construction.

💡Recycling

Recycling is the process of reusing materials to prevent waste and conserve resources. The script emphasizes the importance of recycling plastics to mitigate their environmental impact and to sustain the resources needed for future polymer production.

💡Non-biodegradable

Non-biodegradable materials are those that do not break down naturally over time. The script discusses the problem of non-biodegradable polymers, which persist in the environment and contribute to pollution.

💡Incineration

Incineration is the process of burning waste at high temperatures to dispose of it or to generate energy. The video script mentions incineration as a method for disposing of polymers but also points out the environmental risks associated with the toxic gases it produces.

Highlights

Polymers are long chain organic molecules made by repeating monomer units.

Natural polymers such as rubber, proteins, carbohydrates, and DNA exist in life.

The tutorial focuses on synthetic polymers, commonly known as plastics.

Plastics are widely used in packaging and structural building materials.

Nearly one quarter of all solid waste is plastic, highlighting the need for recycling.

Chemists aim to develop biodegradable plastics to minimize environmental impact.

Polyethylene is used for carrier bags and sheet plastics.

High-density polyethylene is used in drain pipes, water bottles, and containers.

Polystyrene is commonly used in packaging materials.

Polypropylene is utilized for bottle caps, plastic bottles, and pipes.

Polychloroethene, known as PVC, is used for windows, door frames, and plastic hinges.

Polytetrafluoroethene (PTFE) is used as a non-stick coating and in low friction bearings.

Kevlar is a unique polymer used in bulletproof vests and jackets.

Nylon is widely used in textiles, clothing, and carpets.

Polymers have unique individual properties that contribute to their diverse uses.

Most alkene monomers for polymers are derived from crude oil, emphasizing the importance of recycling.

Polymers are non-biodegradable, posing a significant environmental challenge.

Burning polymers can generate electricity but produces toxic gases.

The lesson aims to appreciate the importance of polymers and understand their problems.

Transcripts

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