Year 9 Science · Unit 2 · Lesson 17

Polymer Properties and Applications

Foundation Worksheet

Name
Date
Class

Learning Goals

Warm Up

Sort it!

Write each item from the pool below into the correct column. Use the lesson to help you decide.

polyethylene Bakelite nylon vulcanised rubber steel PET drink bottle epoxy resin silicon dioxide glass PVC pipe wood

Thermoplastic

Thermoset

Not a Polymer

Your Turn

True or False? Fix the false ones

Circle T or F for each statement. If the statement is false, rewrite it correctly on the line below.

Thermoset polymers can be remelted and reshaped after they have been set.

Correct it:

T
F

LDPE is more flexible than HDPE because LDPE has more branching in its polymer chains.

Correct it:

T
F

Adding plasticiser to PVC makes it harder and more rigid, which is why it is used in stiff pipes.

Correct it:

T
F

Vulcanised rubber is a thermoset because sulfur cross-links hold the polymer chains together permanently, preventing it from being remelted.

Correct it:

T
F

All polymers are synthetic materials made from crude oil and do not exist in nature.

Correct it:

T
F

Show What You Know

1. Name TWO thermoplastic polymers and state ONE application of each.

Recall 2 marks

2. Explain why thermoset polymers char rather than melt when heated. Use the term cross-link in your answer.

Recall 2 marks

Wrap Up

In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?

HSCScience · Year 9 Science · Unit 2 · Lesson 17 · Foundation Worksheet