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Plastic Facts & Worksheets

Plastic is a pliable and easily shaped material widely used in almost everything.

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Plastic is a material widely used in almost everything. In brief, the word means “pliable and easily shaped.” This material’s plasticity or plastic deformation makes it possible to be pressed, molded, or extruded into solid objects of various shapes.

See the fact file below for more information on Plastic, or you can download our 30-page Plastic worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

OVERVIEW

  • Plastic is now the name for a category of materials called polymers. It means “of many parts,” and this material consists of long chains of molecules. Polymers abound in nature. The material that makes up the cell walls of plants — cellulose — is a common natural polymer.
  • Over the last century, humans have learned how to make synthetic polymers using various natural substances like cellulose and carbon atoms. The knowledge that brings innovation and plastics have saturated our environment, changing our lives.

ETYMOLOGY AND STRUCTURE

  • Derived from the Greek word “plastikos,” the word “plastic” means  “capable of being shaped or molded” or “grow and form.” It was used before as an adjective; then, it began to be used as a noun. One of its features directly means the “capability to be formed,” as the name “plastic” means.
  • With their “plastic properties,” synthetic polymers have flexible characteristics that are strong and lightweight. Before the creation of plastics, the industry depended on nature: one was paper derived from wood. However, the paper doesn’t last long, is not strong enough, and consumes a supply of timber essential for the earth’s oxygen and environmental preservation. 
  • As innovation continues, scientists are looking for alternative materials that can be mass-produced, lightweight, strong, durable, inexpensive, and not entirely dependent on natural resources.
  • So when synthetic polymers, later known as plastics, were discovered and developed, the plastic revolution began in the industrial world. Initially, plastic was idealistically created to preserve the availability of natural resources in the environment. 
  • The structure of plastic mainly contains organic polymers. With or without the attachment of sulfur atoms, nitrogen, or oxygen, most of these polymers are formed and made from chains of carbon atoms. Formed from monomers, these chains comprise numerous repeating units. 
  • The variety of molecular groups called side chains that hang from the backbone (part of the chain on the main path that links together a massive amount of repeat units) are usually attached to the monomers before the monomers are linked together to form the polymer chain. The structure and build of these side chains influence the properties of the polymer.

HISTORY

  • The innovation and progress of plastics have been drastic and evolved totally away from using natural materials. The development has started with the use of shellac, to the chemical modification of materials such as cellulose, natural rubber, collagen, and even milk proteins. And now, with the use of bakelite, epoxy, and PVC, they have produced complete synthetic plastics.
  • The world’s first-ever man-made plastic was introduced in 1862 by Alexander Parkes at the London International Exhibition. The material created was called Parkesine, marketed as an alternative to ivory and an organic material acquired from cellulose that can be retained or molded in its shape when cooled once heated. It was discovered while trying to develop a synthetic substitute for shellac for waterproofing.
  • Parkesine established a significant first step in manufactured plastic development, though the product was not a commercial success. The material showed its actual potential value and variety of applications when John Wesley Hyatt in Albany, New York discovered a way to produce and manufacture an advanced and improved version of Parkesine, known as celluloid.

DEVELOPMENT OF PLASTIC

  • In 1839, Charles Goodyear accidentally discovered vulcanization, a process that created rubber material that is more elastic and stronger than other materials and was also one of the first polymer combinations to be found.
  • In 1846, a chemist from Switzerland, Charles Schonbein, accidentally discovered nitrocellulose while spilling a mixture of nitric acid-sulfuric acid on cotton.
  • Early in 1855, Alexander Parkes discovered Parkesine, which is a mixture of cellulose nitrate and camphor lime. Celluloid or Parkesine was the first thermoplastic with a flexible character when exposed to heat and returns stiff when cold.
  • In 1862, the world’s first-ever manufactured plastic was introduced by Alexander Parkes at the London International Exhibition.
  • While in 1869, John Wesley Hyatt created the first industrial plastic.
  • In 1907, Leo Hendrik Baekeland, a Belgian born in America, created Bakelite the first synthetic polymer produced from a mixture of phenol and formaldehyde.
  • In the 1930s, Wallace Carruthers, a chemist at Dupont, created a lightweight, durable, and strong material named nylon. It was made from a combination of polymers from adipic acid condensation and specific diamino hexane monomers, making it flexible enough to be stretched into solid threads, similar to silk.
  • Due to innovation, the plastic industry in the United States expanded significantly during World War II.
  • The need to preserve scarce natural resources made producing synthetic alternatives a priority. Plastics provided those substitutes. A variety of material and chemical progress and innovations emerged in the era surrounding the war. 
  • In 1933 in England, polyethylene (PE) was created and used to insulate radar cabling. Placed on airplanes sufficiently lightened them and gave the planes of Britain a significant advantage against the Germans.
  • This material was first made and created as an alternative to die-cast zinc. However, polystyrene (PS) became an immediate replacement for rubber in the copolymer of polystyrene and butadiene: (SBR) styrene-butadiene rubber. 
  • While in 1939, nylon and neoprene were invented by Wallace Hume Carothers and are considered a replacement for silk and synthetic rubber. The U.S Military immediately rationed these materials for use in ropes and parachutes.
  • In 1941, a Dow chemist accidentally discovered expanded polystyrene (EPS). This material, a sturdy lightweight plastic, became an essential and valuable thermal insulator and a shock absorber. 

TYPES OF PLASTIC

  • As the material kept developing, various synthetic polymers and their combinations began to be discovered and production grew. Silicon was discovered in 1962, types of PVC plastic were found in 1969, and HDPE plastic material was born in 1970. In 1926, Maurice Lemoigne discovered bioplastic made from natural resources that are much more degradable than synthetic plastic.
  • Known as a wrinkle-free fiber, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a type of plastic polymer that is mainly used as packaging  for food and drink. It is used due to its great ability to prevent oxygen from getting in and spoiling the product. It is also useful in keeping the carbon dioxide in carbonated beverages from escaping. But, PET contains antimony trioxide, which is considered a carcinogen that is capable of causing cancer.
  • Compared to the other types, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is more substantial and thicker due to its virtually long unbranched polymer chains. It is a commonly used bottle for shampoo, medicine, and beverage containers often seen in the grocery store. It is also recyclable like PET, but a more stable and safer option for food and drinks. Though the alarming factor in this type is that it can leach estrogen-mimicking additive chemicals that, when exposed to ultraviolet light, could disrupt the hormonal system.
  • PVC used to be the second most widely used plastic resin in the world after polyethylene, It was typically used in medical tubing, blood bags, toys, binders, wraps, and bottles until it was declared the cause of severe health risks and pollution in the environment. In terms of toxicity, PVC is considered the most hazardous plastic. 
  • Polyethylenes (LDPE) are perhaps the most famous of all plastics. They are the most used family of plastics in the world. It is known for its simplest plastic polymer chemical structure, which is accessible, easy, and cheap to process. It is used as plastic wraps, bags for food and drinks, and wire or cable covering. LDPE is the most used, but it isn’t easy to be recycled. It could also cause unhealthy hormonal effects in humans.
  • Polypropylene or PP is commonly used for hot containers since it is stiffer and more heat-resistant. Among the other types, its strength quality is between HDPE and LDPE (along with this, PP has also been labeled a safer option for drinks and food use). As long as PP is identified as “BPA-free,” it is a plastic material that is good for baby milk bottles. But, PP isn’t entirely recyclable, and this material could also cause hormone disruption.
  • Polystyrene (PS) is one of the most identifiable types of plastic. More commonly known as styrofoam, it is used for drinks or food containers, egg cartons, disposable cups, bowls or utensils, packaging, and bike helmets. When exposed or used with hot and oily food, PS can leach styrene, which is considered a brain and nervous system toxicant. PS may also affect genes and organs such as the lungs, liver, and immune system. On top of all of those risks, polystyrene has a low recycling rate.

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS 

  • Plastic is one of the best inventions ever developed, but it is also one of the main causes of environmental pollution. Humans produce this material too fast, and much of it piles up and contaminates natural resources. Gigantic and massive oceanic garbage patches, microbead problems, and the effect of climate change are some problematic emerging issues involving plastics.
  • Plastic wastes pose a bothersome environmental danger to the health of humans, plants, and animals. If plastic materials are not correctly disposed of, they can cause blockages, littering, and landscape disfigurement. The lives of animals are endangered by consuming this material, choking, and contaminating their habitat. Plastics take years to decompose, and the toxic substances it contains cause pollution in land, air, and water, resulting in many detrimental environmental effects.
  • There is a need to minimize and limit plastic use to lessen the threat of plastic waste effectively. Though plastics play a significant role in our daily lives, it is crucial to modify habits and provide alternatives. Instead of plastics, eco-friendly fabric bags, wood containers, papers, and materials made from natural fibers are safer options. Plastic recycling is encouraged to reprocess and reuse plastic waste into new products. When this process is performed correctly, this can effectively reduce dependence on landfill, conserve and preserve resources and mainly protect the environment from greenhouse gas emissions and plastic pollution.

Plastic Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Plastic across 30 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching kids about Plastic, which is a pliable and easily shaped material widely used in almost everything.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Plastic Facts
  2. PlasTHINK
  3. Wheel of Discovery
  4. Spot the Type
  5. Bin there, done that
  6. Is that True?
  7. My Platform
  8. Plastic ain’t Fantastic
  9. Go Green!
  10. Watch and Learn
  11. Choose the Cap

Frequently Asked Questions

How is plastic made?

Plastics are made from things like natural gas, oil, and plants. These materials are turned into ethane and propane, which are then treated with heat. This process is called “cracking.” Ethylene and propylene are created from this process. These materials are combined together to create different polymers, which is what plastics are made of.

Who invented plastic?

In 1907, Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland created the first fully synthetic plastic.

How much plastic is in the world?

The amount of plastic waste generated globally has more than doubled since 2000, reaching 353 million tonnes in 2019.

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Link will appear as Plastic Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, November 1, 2022

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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