How is plastic made? (1 point )
Coal 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.
Coal and natural gas are chemically broken down into small compounds that combine to form plastic.
Oil and natural gas are broken down from long chain 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.
The correct answer is:
Oil and natural gas are chemically broken down into small compounds that combine to form plastic.
To understand how plastic is made, we need to know that plastic is a polymer, which is a large molecule made up of repeating subunits called monomers. The process of making plastic involves the conversion of raw materials such as oil and natural gas into these monomers. Here's a step-by-step explanation of how plastic is made:
1. Extraction: The first step is the extraction of raw materials, which are typically crude oil or natural gas. These resources are obtained through drilling and extraction processes.
2. Refining: Once the crude oil or natural gas is extracted, it undergoes a refining process where impurities are removed to obtain a purer form of the resource.
3. Cracking: The next step is cracking, which involves breaking down the long hydrocarbon chains found in oil or natural gas into smaller molecules. This is usually done through a process called thermal cracking or catalytic cracking, where heat and/or catalysts are used to break the bonds.
4. Polymerization: After cracking, the resulting smaller compounds, called monomers, are combined through a process called polymerization. Polymerization involves chemically bonding the monomers together, creating long chains or networks of repeating units.
5. Processing: Once the polymerization process is complete, the resulting polymer is then processed to give it the desired shape and properties. This can involve techniques such as extrusion, injection molding, or blow molding, depending on the intended application of the plastic.
It's important to note that different types of plastic can be made through different processes, and the specific raw materials and techniques used may vary. However, the basic principle remains the same – converting oil or natural gas into smaller compounds, and then combining them to form plastic polymers.