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CChemistryS4 to S6Polymers

Polymers lab: plastics and recycling

Bottles, pipes, ropes and clothes are long chains of small molecules. Build them and find out which plastics can be recycled.

▶ Start the lab🧠 Questions📄 My report
🧴n CH₂=CH₂ → [–CH₂–CH₂–]ₙpolymers, plastics and recycling
LevelS4 to S6 (and IGCSE, A Level)
TimeAbout 35 min
You useMr = n × repeat unit
PriceFree: no account

🎯 Aim

To investigate addition and condensation polymerisation and the properties and recycling of polymers.

You will learn to

  • Draw repeat units from monomers.
  • Calculate the Mr of a polymer chain.
  • Compare addition and condensation polymers.
  • Discuss the disposal and recycling of plastics.

🧭 What to do

  1. Choose a Polymer and watch the monomers join.
  2. Read the repeat unit and its Mr.
  3. Change the Number of repeat units n and read the Mr of the chain.
  4. Read the uses and recycling code.
  5. Answer the questions with the class data.
  6. Write your conclusion and download your lab report.

🔬 Lab bench

📋 The data

Some common polymers.

🧠 Investigate: answer from the data

Type your answer and tap Check. Use 💡 Hint first; open the method only when you are stuck.

📄 My lab report

Your report collects the aim, your data table, the graphs, your answers and your conclusion. It is made on your phone or computer: nothing is sent to anyone.

Check your conclusion

In addition polymerisation the C=C bond opens and monomers join with no other product; in condensation polymerisation two functional groups join and lose a small molecule such as water (amide links in nylon, ester links in PET). The Mr of a chain is n times the Mr of the repeat unit. Most plastics are not biodegradable, so they must be reused or recycled.

➕ Get more from this experiment

📝 Free

Print the worksheet (button above), download the data, and save your report. Teachers can project this page in class.

📦 Premium Lab Pack

1 000 RWF

  • Practical worksheet: make a slime polymer and sort plastics by recycling code
  • Polymer problems
  • Teacher guide and answer key
  • Exam-style questions with marking scheme
See the pack

👩‍🏫 For teachers

Use it as a practical when apparatus is missing, as homework, or as a project. Free lesson plans help you plan, teach and assess.

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