How is plastic made?(1 point)
Responses
Oil and natural gas are broken down from long chains into the smaller compounds we call plastic.
Oil and natural gas are broken down from long chains into the smaller compounds we call plastic.
Oil and natural gas are chemically broken down into small compounds that combine to form plastic.
Oil and natural gas are chemically broken down into small compounds that combine to form plastic.
Coal and natural gas are chemically broken down into small compounds that combine to form plastic.
Coal and natural gas are chemically broken down into small compounds that combine to form plastic.
Coal and natural gas are broken down from long chains into the smaller compounds we call plastic.
Coal and natural gas are broken down from long chains into the smaller compounds we call plastic.
Oil and natural gas are broken down from long chains into smaller compounds that combine to form plastic. To explain how this process works, we can look at a common plastic called polyethylene, which is made from ethylene monomers.
First, oil or natural gas is extracted from the ground. These fossil fuels contain hydrocarbons, which are molecules made up of hydrogen and carbon atoms arranged in long chains. In the case of polyethylene, the main hydrocarbon is ethane.
Next, the hydrocarbons undergo a process called cracking. This involves heating them at high temperatures to break the long chains into smaller molecules. For example, ethane is cracked into ethylene.
Once the ethylene is obtained, it undergoes a process called polymerization. This involves combining the ethylene molecules together through a chemical reaction to form a long chain of repeating units, also known as polymers. This chain structure gives plastic its characteristic properties.
The polymerization process can be initiated by using catalysts, which are chemical substances that speed up the reaction. These catalysts may vary depending on the type of plastic being produced.
After polymerization, the resulting plastic material is typically in the form of pellets or beads, which can be melted and shaped into various products through processes like injection molding or extrusion.
It's important to note that the specific methods and chemical reactions involved in plastic production may vary depending on the type of plastic being made. However, the general process involves breaking down hydrocarbons from oil or natural gas into smaller compounds, and then combining those compounds through polymerization to form the desired plastic.