Chemicals from Oil Chemicals from Oil PLASTICS
Plastics When oil is cracked ethene is often made. Ethene is a very useful molecule as it is the starting material for making many plastics.
Plastics Plastics are huge molecules. They are usually made from chains of thousands of atoms. These long chains are called polymers
Plastics Polymers are made from joining thousands of small molecules called monomers together.
Plastics Ethene is a monomer that joins up to form poly(ethene). This reaction is called polymerisation
Plastics Different plastics can be made from different monomers.
Uses of Different Plastics Polyethene Plastic bags “Rubber” ducks Washing up bowl Plastic dustbins
Uses of Different Plastics Poly(styrene) Drink containers Packaging Ceiling tiles Yoghurt pots
Uses of Different Plastics Poly(vinyl chloride) PVC Vinyl records Drainpipes Window frames Plastic rain coat
Uses of Different Plastics Poly(propene) Crates Fishing nets
Uses of Different Plastics Nylon Toothbrush Sports wear tights
MonomerPolymer ethenepoly(ethene) styrenepoly(styrene) vinyl chloridepoly(vinyl chloride) PVC