Why is it a problem that plastics are not biodegradable, when other materials like metals are also not biodegradable?(1 point)
Responses
Plastics have been chemically altered from natural resources and cannot be restored.
Plastics have been chemically altered from natural resources and cannot be restored.
Metals can at least be recycled and used more than once.
Metals can at least be recycled and used more than once.
Metals can be broken down by corrosion.
Metals can be broken down by corrosion.
Plastics are more of a problem because they float in water, but metals sink.
Plastics have been chemically altered from natural resources and cannot be restored, while metals can at least be recycled and used more than once. This means that plastics create a larger environmental burden as they accumulate in landfills and oceans without being broken down naturally. Additionally, plastics have a higher likelihood of entering water bodies and causing harm to marine life, as they float in water while metals sink.
In one to two sentences, explain a similarity and a difference between the particles in liquid water at 100ºC and the particles in steam at 100ºC.
A similarity between the particles in liquid water at 100ºC and steam at 100ºC is that both consist of H2O molecules. However, the difference is that in liquid water, the molecules are closer together and have less energy, while in steam, the molecules are spaced further apart and have higher kinetic energy.
You overhear a friend saying, “Plastic is the worst thing that humans have ever invented.”
In four to five sentences, explain whether you agree or disagree with your friend’s statement. Be sure to include facts that show the range of impacts that plastic has on human society and the environment.
I partially agree with my friend's statement that plastic has had significant negative impacts on human society and the environment. On one hand, plastic has provided numerous benefits as a versatile and lightweight material, used in various industries, such as packaging and transportation. However, its widespread usage and improper disposal have resulted in detrimental effects. Plastic pollution is a major issue, with millions of tons of plastic waste ending up in landfills and oceans each year. This pollution harms wildlife, marine ecosystems, and poses risks to human health through microplastics ingestion. Moreover, plastic production consumes large amounts of fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. However, innovation in sustainable alternatives and increased efforts in recycling and waste management can help mitigate these negative impacts.
The main problem with plastics not being biodegradable compared to other materials like metals is that plastics have been chemically altered from natural resources and cannot be easily restored. Plastics are typically made from fossil fuels and synthetic polymers, which make them resistant to degradation and breakdown in the natural environment. On the other hand, metals can at least be recycled and used multiple times, reducing the demand for new metal extraction. Additionally, metals can be broken down through corrosion over time. Another reason why plastics are a greater problem is because they tend to float in water, causing pollution in oceans and other bodies of water, while metals sink and are less likely to impact aquatic ecosystems.
The problem with plastics not being biodegradable, unlike metals, is that plastics cannot be naturally broken down and returned to the environment. Plastics have undergone chemical alterations from natural resources, which makes it difficult for them to be restored to their original state. On the other hand, metals can be recycled and used multiple times, reducing their overall environmental impact.
Metals can also be broken down through corrosion, which is the gradual wearing away of the metal surface due to chemical reactions with substances in the environment. Corrosion allows metals to eventually return to their original form or break down into smaller, less harmful components.
Additionally, plastics pose a unique problem because they are lightweight and have a tendency to float in water. This makes them more likely to be carried by wind and currents, leading to pollution in oceans, rivers, and other water bodies. In contrast, metals are heavier and tend to sink, reducing their dispersion and the likelihood of causing widespread pollution.
Overall, the issue with plastics not being biodegradable is that they persist in the environment for a long time, contributing to pollution and posing risks to ecosystems and organisms. Metals, while not biodegradable themselves, have the advantage of being able to be recycled and broken down through natural processes like corrosion.