When many units of repeating molecules react together, monomers, the reaction will yield a product in the form of a polymer (Chemistryexplained.com, 2016). The ‘discovery’ of polymers began in 1920, with the belief of Hermann Staudinger, that there existed a molecule consisting of many smaller repeating molecules, under the name ‘macromolecule’ (Chemistryexplained.com, 2016). Nowadays, polymer and plastic demand is even higher than that of copper, aluminium, and even steel, due to their versatile applications in many different industries (Matse1.matse.illinois.edu, 2016). Polymer synthesis can be either synthetic or natural, and can produce many forms of polymers, depending on the involved monomers, and the intended purpose for said polymers (Essentialchemicalindustry.org, 2016). This process involves three main steps, initiation or separating of the double bonds of the to-be-monomer, propagation or the joining of these monomers, and termination, when the desired chain length has been reached (Chemistryexplained.com, 2016). History is brimful with scientific discoveries both intentional, and completely accidental, however, it can be seen that the majority of polymers were crafted due to societal demand, although the method of actual synthesis initially may have been serendipitous. Two of the polymers scientifically researched and synthesised due to demand of the times were synthetic rubber, and Bakelite (Chemistryexplained.com, 2016).
Many polymers were researched and
The basic principles of polymers originate from organic chemistry. Organic chemistry is the field of science associated with the structure, properties, and reactions of compounds that contain carbon. The simplest organic compounds are hydrocarbons, consisting of carbon and hydrogen atoms joined together by molecular covalent bonds. Within this category is a subdivision of saturated hydrocarbons with double covalent bonds, specifically identified as alkenes. The presence of a double bond allows alkenes to react in ways similar to that of a monomer. A monomer is a small, singular molecule which, through chemical means, may combine to form a larger molecule (See Fig 1). The resultant larger molecule is a polymer, comprised of long, repeated chains of identical
Plastic's end of life cycle involves being discarded, either recycled for reuse or dumped into a landfill or the ocean. Recycling's popularity has significantly grown since the 1970's, as well as the overall number of plastic products being produced. In addition, the amount of plastic products being created as significantly increased over the past 60 years. Due to the endurance of polymers, plastic is filling up landfills faster than it should and invading our natural habitats. Recycling is one of the most critical things we can do for our environment. It can cut down on the amount of plastic in landfills as well. Recycling plastic reduces the need to create more plastic, which also cuts down on oil use and pollutants being released into the air. In the time that recycling has become more popular, technology has advanced to create more job
The Supply and Demand Simulation consist of microeconomics and macroeconomics concepts. The concepts are explained and how they apply to the principle of microeconomics and macroeconomics. The simulations presents shifts in the supply and demand curve, the rationale for the shift is given. Each shift is analyzed showing the effects of the equilibrium price, quantity, and decision making for the company presented. An explanation of the price elasticity affects the pricing strategy for consumers and company.
The article which I chose in this assignment comes from “The Michigan Daily”, which is a newspaper native to the state of Michigan and its residents. The main subject of the article is the recent increase in season ticket prices for the University of Michigan football games. This price increase will mostly impact the students of the University of Michigan who are normal in attendance, but will also impact the loyal non-student fans as well. Michigan is a nationally renowned college football powerhouse who is famous for its enormous stadium and its extremely loyal fans.
Name and describe 5 products now made from plastics that previously would have been made from other materials. Explain why you believe they are now made from plastics (What advantage is there?).
Humans have always exploited their natural environment for all their needs including food, clothing and shelter. As the cultural development of humans continued, they looked for a greater variety of materials to cater for their needs. The 20th century saw an explosion in both the use of traditional materials and in the research and development of a wider range of materials to satisfy technological requirements. Developments added to this was a reduction in availability of the traditional resources to supply the increasing world population. Chemists and chemical engineer continue to play a pivotal role in the search for new sources of traditional materials such as those from the
We found that Polypropylene was our 5th unknown. Polypropylene (C3H6) or more commonly referred to as PP, is used for labeling, packaging, textiles, and stationery. In 1957, the crystallization of polymer was discovered. Soon fabric was made from the polymer, and was in high demand. It can also be used for moldings of cars, film, tape, foam and carpet. Polypropylene can not be glued to any objects or itself, and so it is melded. After Polyethylene, Polypropylene is the highest produced synthetic plastic. Polypropylene also holds up well over time, which is one of the reasons that it is the second most produced plastic. The melting point is between 130-171 degrees celsius. Because polypropylene is tough and flexible it can be used as an engineering plastic. Finally, polypropylene can be used be manufactured into a living hinge. A
Rebecca Thickbloom of Clectic Designs has been working in polymer for six years. Her move to polymer was prompted by a need to challenge herself to create beads from scratch. After many years of jewelry design with semi-precious stones, she was ready for a new challenge. “My internet research led me to glass, aluminum and polymer,” she said. She was hooked on polymer after a beginning weekend course with Debbie Carlton, who later became her creative pal. She does not rule out a circle back to glass and aluminum with a polymer mix at a later date.
Charles Goodyear has impacted the rubber making industry for close to 2 centuries. His invention of vulcanized rubber has changed how we make tires, pencil erasers, life jackets, balls, gloves, and much more. Goodyear devoted his life to solving how rubber could withstand heat and cold. His discovery revolutionized the rubber industry in the mid-1800s. In the article, Charles Goodyear and the Vulcanization of Rubber Somma writes: "Part scientist, part dreamer, part entrepreneur, Goodyear devoted his life, and sacrificed his family’s wealth and his own health, to the commercial improvement of rubber"(Somma).
- Hypothesis: If you cut a 5 mm piece of plastic dry-cleaning bag, a plastic kitchen wrap, a plastic sandwich bag, and a plastic grocery bag, and you added weights (2 pounds) to stretch the plastics, then the plastics will 90% stretch longer than their original 4 mm length.
The HDI/PCN/BD stoichiometric ratio for the synthesis of the final polymer was kept as 4:3:1. The polymer solution was passed through a Teflon filter in order to
I have had the personal experience of purchasing my college education. Picking a college was very challenging and I had huge amounts of pros and cons to weigh throughout my decision process. I knew that going to college and receiving a college education would be a wise investment and would better benefit me in the future financially. The supply and demand for a college education has changed over the years, thirty years ago a person might not have gone to college or paid for a college education and degree but that person still had a good chance of finding a steady job and becoming successful. An example of this would be my
characteristics and membership in certain social groups (John and Saks, 2014). Even though Gretchen thinks Regina is mean, she cannot exit the group due to the huge loss of her social identification and its merits. Being part of The Plastics mean that they are treated like celebrities on their school, and it also provides a sense of belonging, safety, and self-enhancement to the individual (Dick, Grojean, et al.)
"Plastic" entered the world through chemistry in 1909 and was originally coined to describe Bakelite, the first fully synthetic resin. What make's plastic so unique is when it is heated it can be molded but it retained its shape when cooled (Reddy, 2010). The modern plastic bag was not possible until the accidental discovery of the first industrially practical method of polyethylene synthesis in 1933. Fast forward to today, the use and
Though polymers are a very beneficial thing now, but In the future I believe that at the very best that they will only hold the same value to society. I say this because polymers are not a very complicated item and it would be difficult to better this technology in a drastic way. The only further advancements I see are people discovering ways to make polymers stronger, more durable and better suited for extreme and