11.2 Comparing polymers IGCSE workbook

11.2 Comparing polymers IGCSE :   

HazCard :

• 5 X boiling tubes and rack

• Marker pens

• Glass rod

• Distilled water wash bottle

• Samples of FOUR different plastics (five pieces per group of each cut about 5mm square (sample should be different colour) sample should be labelled as number

  • sample 1 = Polyvinyl chloride (PVC symbol 3)

  • sample 2 = high-density polyethylene  (Shampoo bottle symbol 2)

  • sample 3 = polypropylene  (symbol 5)

  • sample 4 = polystyrene (symbol 6)

• measuring cylinder 50  or 100 cc

• Liquids 1-5 (Measurment for 1000ml) 20 cc per student

  • 1 Density 0.91 471g (596 cc) ethanol in 439 cc of Distilled water

    • • • • • 149 cc ethanol to 250 cc Distilled water

  • 2 Density 0.94 354g (448 cc) ethanol in 586 cc distilled water

    • • • • • 112 cc ethanol to 250 cc Distilled water

  • 3 Density 1.00 Distilled water

    • • • • • 250 cc Distilled water

  • 4 Density 1.15 184 potassium carbonate in 965 cc distilled water

    • • • • •  46.25g of K2CO3 to 250 cc Distilled water

  • 5 Density 1.38 513g potassium carbonate in 866cc distilled water (irritnat)

    • • • • • 128.25g of K2CO3 to 250 cc of distilled water

1. PE: polyethylene (low density = LDPE, high density = HDPE), e.g. carrier bags. 

2. PP: polypropylene, e.g. drinks cups, kettles, shampoo bottles 

3. PS: polystyrene and expanded polystyrene (EPS), e.g. insulating cups, packaging 

4. PVC: poly(vinyl chloride), e.g. window frames, insulation cables for domestic wiring. 

5. PET: poly(ethylene terephthalate), e.g. transparent water bottles.