SEKOLAH MENENGAH SERI TEMASIK

LESSON NOTES
FORM 5 SCIENCE

LESSON NO : 22 DATE : 5/9/2017

TIME : 8.30 10.20a.m.
DATE OF SUBMISSION : 14/9/2017

Topic: CHAPTER 7: SYNTHETIC MATERIALS IN INDUSTRY

Learning A student is able to:

Outcomes: 7.1 Understanding synthetic polymers
List synthetic polymers
State uses of synthetic polymers
Describe the process of making synthetic polymers
Relate the general characteristics of synthetic rubber to its uses
Give examples of goods made from synthetic rubber
Give examples of goods made from a combination of natural and synthetic rubber
Compare and contrast synthetic rubber with natural rubber.

7.2 Analysing plastics

List examples of plastics
List the uses of plastics
State the types of plastics
List the characteristics of thermoplastic materials
List the characteristics of thermosetting plastic materials
Classify various plastic goods into thermoplastic and thermosetts
Compare and contrast thermoplastic and thermosetts
Suggest potential uses of plastics
Explain the effects of improper disposal of plastic material to the environment
Describe proper management of disposal of plastics.

Name :

Class :
7.10 Synthetic Polymers

1. Definition: Long chain molecules that are man-made consisting of repeating

units of smaller molecules called monomers.
2. They are artificial polymers.
3. Used to make a wide range of products including computers, fabrics, toys,
furniture, car parts, and electronic parts.
4. There are 3 types of synthetic polymers:
a) Synthetic rubber: neoprene rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)
b) Plastics: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene, epoxy and Perspex
c) Synthetic fibres nylon and terylene
Synthetic Polymer Monomer Use
1 Styrene-butadiene Styrene and butadiene Tyres and soles
rubber (SBR)
2 Neoprene rubber Chloroprene Water pipes and hand
gloves
3 Butyl rubber Isobutylene and isoprene Tyres, shoes and hoses
4 Polyvinyl chloride Chloroethene Water pipes, electrical
(PVC) insulators, raincoats
5 Polythene (or Ethene Plastic bags, plastic
polyethylene) containers, plastic cups,
battery cases
6 Nylon Diamine and Synthetic textile and
dicarboxylic acid strings
7 Polystyrene Styrene Packaging material,
toys, disposable plates
8 Perspex Methyl metacrylate Aeroplane windows and
car lamps
9 Polypropene Propene Plastic bottles
10 Epoxy Amide Glue and mould
7.11 Process Of Making Synthetic Polymers

1. The synthetic polymers are produced through polymerisation process.

2. Small of molecules called monomers are bound together to form longer chain of
polymers.
3. There are two main categories of polymerisation reaction:
i. addition polymerisation
ii. condensation polymerisation.
Addition Polymerisation Condensation Polymerisation
A process when monomers are A process that occurs when a small
added to produce polymers molecule of the byproduct such as
without producing any by- water is produced.
products. Examples:
Example: Production of nylon and
Production of PVCs polystyrene

7.12 Synthetic Rubber Characteristics and Uses

1. Synthetic rubber is man-made rubber which is produced through polymerization

of hydrocarbon monomers from petroleum fractions.
2. Synthetic rubber general characteristics are:
a) Heat resistant
b) Able to withstand the action of solvents such as acids and oil
c) Resistant to oxidizing agents
d) Can be cleaned easily
e) Airtight
f) Good insulators
g) Waterproof and oil proof
Synthetic Monomer Characteristics Use
Polymer
Styrene- Styrene and Easy to vulcanise Is used for making shoe soles
butadiene butadiene Able to withstand Is used for making tyres
(SBR) corrosion
rubber Less rigid
 Neoprene Chloroprene Can be stretched Is used for making water pipes
rubber Able to withstand and gloves
corrosion Is used for making car
Elastic accessories
Able to withstand Is used to produce electric wire
the action of insulators
solvents Is used in roads and buildings
Heat resistant Is used to make rubber tubes of
Bunsen burners
Butyl rubber Isobutylene Can be Is used for making inner tubing
and isoprene vulcanized with of tyres
Sulphur under Is used for making roofing
normal materials
conditions Is used to produce non-
Less permeable permeable liners and prevent
than natural water diffusion in dams
rubber Is used for making containers to
Heat-resistant store corrosive chemicals
Thiokol 1, 2 - Able to withstand Is used for making petrol rubber
rubber dichloroethene the action of tubes
chemical solvents Is used in tank liners for storing
and oil oil and solvents

Comparing and contrasting synthetic and natural rubber

Synthetic rubber Natural rubber

Similarities
Both are polymers
Both are carbon compounds

Differences
Synthetic Type of polymers Natural
Able to withstand high High Temperature Decomposes and becomes
temperature a liquid
Less Elasticity More
Strong: does not react with Ability to withstand the Weak: reacts with acids
actions of alkalis and acids and alkalis
Low Ability to absorb pressure, High
vibration and sound
More Heat resistance Less
Can be vulcanised Vulcanisation Is easily vulcanised
1. Which of the following is a 2. The following word equation shows
synthetic polymer? two chemical processes
A. Fat P
B. Starch Neoprene Chloroprene
C. Glucose
D. Polythene Chloroprene Neoprene
L
What are P and L?
P L
A Burning Decomposition
B Crystallisation Polymerisation
C Polymerisation Depolymerisation
D Depolymerisation Polymerisation
3. The information below is about 4. Which of the following pairs shows
substance X. the correct pairing of polymers and
Can withstand corrosion monomers?
Can be vulcanized easily Polymer Monomer
Is used to make car tyres A Nylon Chloroethene
Is formed from two types of B Perspex Methyl
monomers metacrylate
Substance X is C Polythene Chloroprene
A neoprene D Thiokol Propene
B butyl rubber rubber
C Thiokol rubber
D styrene-butadiene rubber
5. Natural rubber is suitable to 6. Which of the following is the correct
make tyres of jet fighter because comparison between synthetic
it is rubber and natural rubber?
A less elastic and has a higher Synthetic Natural
internal heat effect rubber rubber
B less elastic and has a lower A More Less elastic
internal heat effect elastic
C more elastic and has a lower B Is easily Cannot be
internal heat effect vulcanised vulcanized
D more elastic and has a higher C Does not React with
internal heat effect react with acids
acids
D Cannot Able to
withstand withstand
heat heat
7. Figure shows a process in making of synthetic substance

Process L is A: hydrolysis B: vulcanization C: polymerization D: depoymerisation

a