Although plastics have had a remarkable impact globally, it has become increasingly obvious that there is a price to be paid for their use.
Plastics are durable and degrade very slowly. In some cases, burning plastic can release toxic fumes. Also, the manufacturing of plastics often creates large quantities of chemical pollutants, and requires use of the Earth's limited supply of fossil fuels. However, it should be noted that plastics only consume 4% of the world's oil production. Furthermore, it can be claimed that the use of plastics helps the environment by saving water and oil. For example, plastics make cars lighter, thus saving oil and reducing CO2 emissions.
2006-09-06 00:32:24
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answer #1
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answered by Green Alex 3
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plastics
Polymers that can be molded or shaped, usually by heat and pressure. Most are lightweight, transparent, tough organic compounds that do not conduct electricity well. They fall into two classes: Thermoplastics (e.g., polyethylene, polystyrene) can be melted and formed again and again; thermosetting plastics, or thermosets (e.g., polyurethane, epoxy), once formed, are destroyed rather than melted by heating. Few plastics contain only the polymer resin; many also contain plasticizers (to change the melting point and make them softer), colorants, reinforcements, and fillers (to improve mechanical properties such as stiffness), and stabilizers and antioxidants (to protect against aging, light, or biological agents). Traditional plastics are not biodegradable (see biodegradability); recycling of plastics, especially thermoplastics, has become an important industry, and the development of low-cost biodegradable plastics and plastic substitutes is a significant pursuit of industrial research. Major commercial uses of plastics include cars, buildings, packaging, textiles, paints, adhesives, pipes, electrical and electronic components, prostheses, toys, brushes, and furniture. Common plastics include polyethylene terephthalate, or PET (beverage bottles), PVC (pipes and hoses), foamed polystyrene, or Styrofoam (insulated food containers), and Lucite (shatterproof windows). See also Leo Baekeland.
For more information on plastics, visit Britannica.com.
2006-09-06 00:35:22
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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Plastic covers a range of synthetic or semisynthetic polymerization products. They are composed of organic condensation or addition polymers and may contain other substances to improve performance or economics. There are few natural polymers generally considered to be "plastics". Plastics can be formed into objects or films or fibers. Their name is derived from the fact that many are malleable, having the property of plasticity. Plastics are designed with immense variation in properties such as heat tolerance, hardness, resiliency and many others. Combined with this adaptability, the general uniformity of composition and light weight of plastics ensures their use in almost all industrial segments.
2006-09-07 21:03:34
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answer #3
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answered by sonali 3
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First of all, plastics are long chin polymers made up of carbon and some cations and anions also in it. To giving him strength.
It has many use in our daily life,industry and many other field. Main demarit of plastic is that it can't be destroy any how as paper. It cause pollution besides it cause problem when it goes stomach of animals.
2006-09-06 01:44:58
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answer #4
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answered by mahaveersoganiappu 2
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plastic does not cause pollution people do. there are many different types of plastics used for all kinds of things. food storage, carpet, car parts the list is endless. with recycling we can reclaim the plastic and make new things.
2006-09-06 00:38:20
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answer #5
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answered by rmisbach 4
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merit-in india its used as a rain coat 2
2006-09-08 04:15:18
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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difficult subject. look with a search engine. just that will help!
2014-12-04 15:12:45
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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extremely tough stuff. look into from the search engines. that will could help!
2014-11-02 19:15:04
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answer #8
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answered by ? 3
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