Molecular level?

Question

When you try to stretch a piece of plastic bag,the length of the piece being pulled increases dramatically and thickness decreases.Does the same thing happen when you pull a piece of paper? Why or why not? Explain on a molecular level

Answer 1

Plastic is a series of long chain polymers. These chains can stretch when they are all aligned and facing the same direction.

Other plastics have the polymer chains facing in cross directions. These plastics are stiff and often brittle.

Paper is similar to the cross linked polymers and does not stretch