UNIT 1 Are metals better than plastics?

Nria Bou

Handout 1
Activity 1. The teacher will read the name of the objects twice, some of
them may be on the pictures and some of them may not. You can
check the pictures in the powerpoint presentation. You have to write
the name of the object next to the object and draw and give the name
of two more objects that can be found in a sitting room. Work
individually and then check with your partner.

UNIT 1 Are metals better than plastics?

Nria Bou

Handout 2
OBJECTS
TV set
Sofa
Armchair
Curtain
Table
Vase
Computer keyboard
Spoon (cullera)
Toy horse
Carpet
Picture
Figure
Car bodywork (carrosseria)
Display cabinet (vitrina)
Notebook
Credit card
Supermarket bag
Pan (paella)
Pencil

Metal

Wood Glass

Plastic

Others

Activity 2. Tick the material they are made of (complete the table). Some
objects can be made of different materials.
Activity 3. Answer these questions (in writing) and then check them with
your partner (by speaking):
1.
2.
3.
4.

What are spoons made of? Spoons can be made of ........

What spoon would you choose to cook? Give one reason.
What spoon would you choose to take on a picnic? Give one reason.
What spoon would you choose to use to eat with at home? Give one
reason.
5. So, which spoon is better? Why?
is lighter
wont melt in contact with heat
wooden
I would choose the

metal
plastic

wont damage the cooking pan

spoon because (it)

doesnt conduct heat

the feeling in your mouth is better
lasts longer
is one-use only

UNIT 1 Are metals better than plastics?

Nria Bou

Handout 3
Activity 4. Fill in the blanks in the text below. Some of the words are
given, there are some words which you may not use and some of them
may have to be used twice. Do this task in pairs.
A computer keyboard is made of _________, a TV screen is made of ______,
a car bodywork of ______and a table of wood. Plastic, _____, metal and
______are examples of _________ that are used in object production.
Materials are different from each other due to their ________. Supermarket
____ are made of materials which are cheap and _____ such as _______ or
plastic, because they have to protect _____ without increasing its ____ and
have to be easily carried home. _______ are made of metal or clay, but can
not be made of ______ or wood because they will ______ in contact with fire.
_____ _____ are made of plastic to make them light, so they dont ____ if
they fall down or dont get ___ when it rains. Before making an object you
have to know its uses and conditions of use. Then you will know the
properties the material has to have and you will choose the most
____________ material.

Word Bank
light wood metal break grocery food appropriate price burn
paper plastic glass gas properties materials bags wet pans
credit cards solid liquid

Activity 5 Classify the objects of the text depending on the material

they are made of. To do so use the grid below. If you dont fill the whole
grid with the objects in the text think of others.
Metal

Wood

Glass

Plastic

Other
materials

UNIT 1 Are metals better than plastics?

Handout 4

Nria Bou

1. Hardness
A material that can
cant be scratched is hard
A material that can be easily scratched is soft.
Wood is soft. Glass is hard

2. Electrical conductivity
?

Electrical conductivity
is the ability of a material
to conduct electrical
energy.
energy.

Conductor: material that

transmits electricity (eg
metals)

Insulator:
Insulator: a material with
negligible electrical
conductivity (eg plastics)

3. Thermal conductivity
?

Thermal
conductivity is the
ability of a material to
conduct heat.
heat.
A material with good
thermal conductivity is
a thermal conductor
A material is insulator
when it doesn
doesnt
conduct heat.

5. Plasticity and Elasticity

?
?

The first material is elastic, because it recovers its

original shape when pressure stops.
The second material is plastic, because after being
deformed it doesn
doesnt recover its original shape.

4. Flexibility and stiffness

?
?
?

6. Brittleness and Toughness

?

A material is brittle if
it is susceptible to
fracture when a force
is exerted on it.

A material is tough if
it withstands sudden
shocks without
breaking.

8. Transparency, Translucence
and Opacity

7. Permeability
?
?

The girl dressed for the rain wears impermeable

clothes. Water doesn
doesnt go through it.
The boy is wet because cotton is a permeable
fabric. Water goes through its pores.

Stiffness is the ability of a material to withstand a force

without breaking or bending.
Flexibility is the ability of a material to bend without
breaking.
The material in the second plank is flexible.
flexible. The first
plank is made of a rigid or stiff material.

?
?
?

Transparent materials let light go through them and

objects at the other side can be clearly seen.
Translucent materials let light go through them but
objects at the other side can
cant be clearly seen.
Opaque materials don
dont let light go through them and
objects at the other side cannot be seen.

9. Density comparison
?
?

Density is a measure of mass per unit of volume.

If a material is denser than water it will sink but if
it is lighter it will float.

UNIT 1 Are metals better than plastics?

Nria Bou

Handout 5

Activity 6. With the information given in the powerpoint presentation fill

in the grid below.

PROPERTY

ADJECTIVE

OPPOSITE
ADJECTIVE

Hardness
Electrical conductivity
Thermal conductivity
Flexibility / Stiffness
Plasticity / Elasticity
Brittleness / Toughness
Permeability
Transparency, translucence and
opacity
Density comparison

Activity 7. Now match sentences from the two columns. Work in

pairs orally.

1. When a material is deformed and it

doesnt recover its original shape it
2. The material that bends without
breaking
3. Glass has the property of
brittleness
4. If a material lets heat go through it,
it
5. If a material doesnt let electricity
go through it, it
6. Transparency is the property of a
material
7. Dense and light are opposite
adjectives
8. When water can go through the
pores of a material, it is called
9. When you try to scratch a material
10. Wood is opaque while

you are testing the hardness of the

material.
because it breaks easily with a hit.
is thermal conductor.
is plastic.

that let light go through it and you

can see clearly the objects at the
other side.
is flexible.
permeable.
glass is usually transparent.
is electrical insulator.
of the property density.

UNIT 1 Are metals better than plastics?

Nria Bou

Are metals better than plastics? Handout 6

Activity 8. Before testing some of the properties with different
material samples (timber or wood, glass, plastic and metal) fill in the
next grid as much as you can by making predictions of the behaviour
of the different materials. Work in pairs.
PROPERTY

WOOD

METAL

GLASS

PLASTIC

Hardness (nail/cutter)
Electrical / heat conductivity
Flexibilility
Elasticity or plasticity
Brittleness / Toughness
Permeability
Light behaviour
Density comparison with water

I think wood/metal/glass/plastic is/has .................... because.....................

Activity 9. The teacher will test some of the properties (hardness,
electrical conductivity, light behaviour and density comparison with
water) in front of the class with the help of some students. As you watch
these experiments you should check your answers to the previous
activity.
Hardness
Take a sample of each material and
try to scratch it with your nail and
with a cutter.
Electrical conductivity
Build up a circuit similar to the figure
on the right introducing the different
materials into the circuit.

Light behaviour
Look through the different samples and
see if they let light through them or not
and if you can or cannot see objects
clearly at the other side.
Density comparison
Put the different materials into a bowl full of water, some of them will float,
some will sink.
Wood/plastic/metal/glass is .................than ................(write 2 sentences)
6

Are metals better than plastics? Handout 7

Activity 10. Which material will you choose for....?
Why do we use glass in windows? Could it be substituted by another
material?
.......................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................

Which vessel will keep food hot for longer, one of metal or one of
glass? Why?
.......................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................

Why does the paper used to wrap fish or meat have a plastic layer?
.......................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................

Is there any advantage to putting water in plastic bottles rather than in

glass bottles?
.......................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................

Electrical wires are metallic threads covered by plastic. Why?

.......................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................
What material would you choose for an electricians ladder? Why?
.......................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................
Choose the correct answer from the following. Some of them may not be
used and some questions may have two possible answers.
-

A metal vessel will keep food hot for longer because it is opaque.
Yes, plastic bottles are lighter and tougher than glass bottles.
Because plastic is cheaper than paper.
Plastic, in order not to get an electrical shock.
Because they have to conduct electricity (metal) but they have to have
an insulator (plastic) so people do not get an electric shock when
handling them.
No, glass bottles are harder than plastic bottles.
Because plastic is impermeable and so liquid from fish or meat wont
go through it.
Because it is transparent and environmentally resistant. It could be
substituted by plastic because it is also transparent but plastic is not
environmentally resistant.
A glass vessel will keep food hot for longer because glass is not a heat
conductor.
Compare your answers with your partner. One asks, the other answers
and then change.

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Plastics

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Are metals better than plastics? Handout 8

Activity 11. CARD GAME

Work in groups of 4 people.

There is a set of 20 cards for each group: 4 cards have the name of a
material (wood, metal, glass and plastic) and the rest are properties or
sentences about these materials.

Each student receives 5 cards.

The first student who has a card with a material and at least three
cards sentences relating to this material has to put his/her hand in the
middle of the table saying the name of the material. If there are two ore
more students in that situation the first who puts the hand in the middle
wins, after reading the sentences and being correct.

The game proceeds like this: the teacher says 1, 2, 3 and at 3 each
student has to get rid of one card and give it to the partner on the right
and take a card from the partner on the left. This continues until one
student puts his/her hand in the middle of the table shouting the name
of the material.

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Plastics

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Plastics in our lives. Handout 9

Activity 12 Many things are made of plastic.

Think of the objects of plastic that you can find around you and fill
in the table below:

At home

In the car

In the street

In the classroom

Plastic is a material that is widely used due to its properties, and it has
become essential to our society.

Now in pairs ask and answer the following questions (speaking) and
complete the chart above if you have gaps:

Questions

at home
in the car
in the street
in the classroom

do you have

What object

is there

made of plastic?

Answers

I have

There is

an

(name of an object)

at home
in the car
in the street
in the classroom

which is made
of plastic.

Activity 13 Good and bad aspects of plastics.

The teacher will read a text and you have to fill in the blanks.

If you need a material not very -----------, light, that can be used
without fear of -------------, that doesnt --------- in contact with air and ----------to chemicals of drinks, kitchen products and cleaning products, you are --------- ----- a plastic.
However, you cannot --------- its use. Not only does it come from ------, which
is a ----------------------------energy source, but also a low amount of plastics are
-------------- and they are expensive to --------, which can be an environmental
problem.

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Plastics

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From the previous text write down the advantages and disadvantages
of plastics:

Advantages:

1.
4.

Disadvantages:

1.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

2.
5.

3.

2.

What can we do to reduce plastic use? Choose two answers that you
may be able to put into practice.
Reuse supermarket bags: use them again when you go shopping next
time.
Reuse supermarket bags: use them as rubbish bags.
Buy unpacked food.
Use a trolley or basket when going shopping.
Reuse plastic trays for anything you may think of. Eg storing pencils or
jewellery.
Not using plastic at all.
Something else you may think of:-------------------------------------------------

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

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Plastics

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Plastics in our lifes. Handout 10

Activity 14 Plastic objects.

In pairs try to identify the picture with the name of the object. Write down the
number next to the picture.
1. shampoo bottle 2. mouth wash bottle

3. two litre beverage bottle

4. food bag

5. rubbish bag

8. CD case

9. straws

12. meat tray

13. margarine tub 14. egg carton

16. detergent bottles

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6. bread bag

10. milk bottle

7. grocery bag
11. hot beverage cup

17. cooking oil bottles

Plastics

15. nappies
18. food wrap

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Plastics in our lives. Handout 11

Activity 15 With the information given by your teacher fill in the
table below:
Symbol

Accronym

Name

Example

Polyethylene
terephtalate
High density
polyethylene
Polyvinyl
chloride
Low density

LDPE

------------PP

PS
Other

Other plastics or
packaging made of
more than one
plastic

Activity 16 The teacher will give you a plastic object. You have to identify
the plastic and write down a sentence using the following writing support:

My object is made of

polyethylene terephtalate
high density polyethylene
polyvinyl chloride
low density polyethylene
polypropylene
polystyrene

whose
acronym is

PET
HDPE
PVC
LDPE
PP
PS

and its
symbol is

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Once you have written the sentence in pairs ask and answer these questions:
What is your object made of?
polyethylene terephtalate?
high density polyethylene?
polyvinyl chloride?
low density polyethylene?
polypropylene?
polystyrene?

What is the acronym of ...

What is the recycling symbol of ...

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Plastics in our lives. Handout 12

Activity 17 Seven students will play the game below in order to find
out the steps followed to recycle plastics. Each student will have
two cards one with a picture and one with an explanation. The
game starts with the student who has number 1 next to its explanation, the
others dont have any number. Student number 1 reads his explanation and
the student who thinks s/he has the picture that matches that explanation
shows the picture to the rest and reads the explanation for the next step. The
game finishes when student number 1 shows her/his picture. Once youve
read your explanation or showed your picture stick it on the whiteboard.
The rest of the students have to put numbers below the pictures so as to order
the steps and fill in the gaps in the explanations.

[Link]
Workers ----------- the plastic rubbish for --------------- like rock and glass, and
for plastics that the plant cannot recycle.
2. Chopping and Washing
The plastic is ------------ and chopped into flakes.
3. Flotation Tank
If mixed plastics are being recycled, they are sorted in a flotation tank, where
some types of plastic ------- and others --------.
4. -----------The plastic flakes are dried in a tumble dryer.
5. Melting
The dried flakes are fed into an extruder, where -------- and ----------- melt the
plastic. Different types of plastics melt at different -----------------.
6. Filtering
The molten plastic is forced through a fine ------- to remove any contaminants
that slipped through the washing process. The molten plastic is then formed
into strands.
7. Pelletizing
The strands are cooled in water, then ------- into uniform pellets.
Manufacturing companies buy the plastic pellets from recyclers to make new
products. Recycled plastics also can be made into ----------, lumber, and
carpeting.
Use the following words: float-inspect-sink-heat-contaminants-flowerpotsscreen-washed-pressure-drying-temperatures-chopped

Plastics in our lives. Handout 13

Activity 18 Memory game
Seven students will play this game.
Each student has a card with the title of the different steps involved in
recycling plastics:
Student number 1 reads the first step.
Student number 2 says the first step and reads the second step.
Student number 3 says the first and second steps and reads the third step.
Student number 4 says the first, second and third steps and reads the fourth
step.
Student number 5 says the first, second, third and fourth steps and reads the
fifth step.
Student number 6 says the first, second, third, fourth and fifth steps and reads
the sixth step.
Student number 7 says the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth steps and
reads the seventh step.

Plastics in our lives. Handout 14

In this lesson we are going to study 4 properties:

-

density
thermoplasticity and thermosetting
flame test
thermal conductivity

Make 4 groups. Each group is going to do an experiment on one property

and then report to the rest of the class what they have done and what are
their results.

Activity 19 Experiments
Density:
1. The teacher will give you three vessels half full of:
- Water

- 50% ethanol in water

-10% NaCl in water

the density of water is 1.00, that of 50% ethanol is 0.94, and that of
10% NaCl is 1.08.
2. The teacher will give you eight samples of different plastics: PMMA
(polymethylmethacrylate), LDPE (low density polyethylene), HDPE
(high density polyethylene), PS (polystyrene), Expanded PS, UF (ureaformaldehide resin), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene
terephtalate) and MF (melamine-formaldehide resin).

3. Put the different samples in the three liquids and write down the results
(sink or float) in the next table.

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Plastics

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4.
With
the
information from the
previous experiment
you have to place all
your samples in the
appropriate density
categories (less than
0.94, between 0.94
and 1.00, between
1.00 and 1.08, and
greater than 1.08).

Samples

Water

50% Ethanol

10% NaCl

0.94<d<1

1<d<1.08

d>1.08

PMMA
LD PE
HDPE
PS
Exp. PS
UF
PP
PET
MF

d<0.94

Thermoplasticity and thermosetting:

These properties are very important in plastics. Thermoplastic plastics
can be reshaped because they soften under heat, before burning. However,
thermoset plastics cannot.
1. The teacher will give you eight samples of different plastics: PMMA
(polymethylmethacrylate), LDPE (low density polyethylene), HDPE (high
density polyethylene), PS (polystyrene), Expanded PS, UF (ureaformaldehide resin), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephtalate)
and MF (melamine-formaldehide resin).
2. Put the plastic samples near the flame of the candle as shown in the
drawing. Wait a moment and you will see that some samples soften under
heat, before burning. Those are thermoplastic. Others burn without
softening. Those are thermoset.

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Plastics

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Thermoplastic

Thermoset

Fill in the next table (write down the acronym of the plastic):
Thermoplastics

Thermosets

Flame test:
1. The teacher will give you eight samples of different plastics: PMMA
(polymethylmethacrylate), LDPE (low density polyethylene), HDPE
(high density polyethylene), PS (polystyrene), Expanded PS, UF (ureaformaldehide resin), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene
terephtalate) and MF (melamine-formaldehide resin).
2. Put the plastic samples near the flame of the candle under the
extractor hood and see how it burns. Separate the sample from the
candle flame and write down if it gives flame, its colour, if it gives a
huge smoke emission and if it crackles.

Be careful not to burn yourself!!!

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Plastics

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Fill in the next table:

Plastic samples

flame?
(yes/no)

colour of flame?

huge smoke
emission?
(yes/no)

crackling?
(yes/no)

PMMA
LD PE
HDPE
PS
Exp. PS
UF
PP
PET
MF

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Plastics

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Thermal conductivity
You are going to compare how different plastics and a metal conduct heat.
1. The teacher will give you 4 vessels of different materials. One of these
vessels is metallic and the rest are made of different kind of plastics.
2. In each vessel add water at 70C.

3. Every 2 minutes measure the temperature of the water in each vessel.

4. Write down the results in the table below and also the order of
conductivity, from the best conductive to the best insulating.
Material

T (2min)

T (4min)

T (6min)

T (8min)

T (10min)

Order

Metal
PS
HDPE
PP

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Plastics in our lifes. Handout 15

Activity 20 Reports
When you report your experiment to the rest of the class you have to think
about:
1. what you tested.
2. what materials you were given.
3. what steps you followed.
4. what results you got.
Write down a report taking into account the four points. Here you have some
help:
1. Our group has tested / studied / done ........
2. The teacher gave us .........
3. First,......
Second,......
Third,......
Finally,......
4. We found out that .......
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Now read it to the rest of the class. The rest of the class will follow your
explanation and fill in the grid for that experiment.

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Plastics

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Have you ever heard of Polymers? Handout 16

Monomers and polymers

Monomer and polymer are Greek origin words. Mono means one, poly
means many and mer means element or unit.
WORD BANK

Activity 21
In the previous word bank there are three compounds which are not
polymers. Which are they? Why?
,
and
I think
because:
- their molecules are not linked.
- they are liquids.
- they are not hard.

are not polymers

choose the correct answer!!

The origin of polymers

Some polymers have a natural origin, some of them are manmade and
some of them are a mixture (natural origin but followed by a manmade
process).
Activity 22
Classify each polymer from the previous word bank according to its
origin.

Natural origin (4)

Manmade (1)
Mixture (1)

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Have you ever heard of Polymers? Handout 17

The structure of polymers
There are many types of polymer products. But there are just three basic
polymer structures:
(1) linear,
(2) branched, and
(3) cross-linked polymers.
Notice how the names give you clues about what the polymer chains look like.
Activity 23
How do you think the structures differ from each other?
To answer that question: look at the three models below. Each paper
clip represents a monomer. Put the name of each structure next to the
model.

, eg LDPE

, eg HDPE

, eg Bakelite

Now write and read with your partner the answer to the question by
filling the gaps in this text with some words given.
In the _______ structure monomers (paper clips) are linked end-to-end in a
__________ chain. In the branched structure monomers are linked end-to-end
exactly as the previous one but there are other monomers _______ to any of
the ___________ that are not at the ends of the long chain. In the crosslinked structure there are several branched chains being all _____ together.
Word bank
monomers-linear- attached-straight- linked

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Activity 24
In groups of 3 you are going to make a model of a linear polymer, one
of a branched polymer and another of a cross-linked polymer. Connect
some paper clips together following the models above.

Activity 25
You are going to role play the three polymer structures and see which
structure has the biggest viscosity.
First six student volunteers come to the front of the class. They are
monomers and have to form a linear polymer. Try to move!
Secondly, six more students link to the first group forming a branched
polymer. Again, try to move.
Finally, the 12 students in the front have to make two parallel linear polymers
and 4-6 more students form a cross-linked polymer linking the two linear
polymers. Again, try to move.
Answer these questions (use the writing / speaking support):

1. In which case is it more difficult to move?

_
2. Is it easier to move when you are alone or when you are linked to others in
any of the three cases?

3. What is the property that measures the ability to flow (move)? Put in order
the letters of ciiosstvy and youll find the word.
4. Which is more viscous, a monomer or a polymer?

It is more difficult /easier to move

a monomer / a polymer

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when you are alone

in a linear structure
in a branched structure
in a cross-linked structure
is more viscous

Plastics

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Have you ever heard of Polymers? Handout 18

Activity 26 Silly-Putty

You are going to synthesise a cross-linked polymer (silly putty) from a

linear polymer (polyvinyl acetate resin) and a cross-linker (sodium
borate or borax).
Work in groups of 4 people.
Material need for each group:
- Polyvinyl acetate resin (glue)
- Water
- Borax
- 3 styrofoam cups (labelled water, Borax and silly-putty)
- 2 Plastic spoons (one labelled Borax)
- Newpaper (put down first to protect the working surface)
Procedure: First put in order the words in bold.
- Fill the "aertw" cup half way with water. Fill the "aborx" cup with
200 mL of water.
- In your clear silly-putty cup, put 2 tbsp (6 tsp) of eglu. Add 4 tsp of water,
from the water cup, to the glue. Stir. How did your glue change when you
added the water?
- Add 1 tsp of borax to the "Borax" cup using the "Borax" noops. Stir until
most of the borax is ddeilossv.
- Add 4 tsp of the borax ilnoostu to your glue cup using the "Borax" spoon.
Count to three. Then gently stir your cup using your spoon. Stir thoroughly so
that all of the glue comes into accnott with the borax solution.
- Observe what is happening. Take out the silly-putty and play with it. Do not
try to "dry" it on paper towels or newspaper because it will stick. The silly
putty will naturally dry out and become the correct consistency as you play
with it.
Once you have written the words correctly, some of you will read the
steps and then do the experiment in your group.

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Have you ever heard of Polymers? Handout 19

Activity 27 Report about the experiment on Silly-Putty.
REMEMBER When you report your experiment to the rest of the class you
have to think about:
1. what you synthesised.
2. what materials you were given.
3. what steps you followed.
4. what results you got.
Write down a report taking into account the four points. Here you have
some help:
1. Our group has synthesised ........
2. The teacher gave us .........
3. First,......
Second,......
Third,......
Finally,......
4. We found out that .......
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Now read it for the rest of the class. The rest of the class has to follow
your explanation and think of three good points (*) of your explanation
and one point that could be better (-).
Group
Clear explanation
Correct process in following the
steps
Understanding of main concepts
Other -----------------Nria Bou

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Have you ever heard of Polymers? Handout 20

Activity 28 Absorbent polymers.
You have to investigate how much distilled water can be poured into 1
gram of sodium polyacrylate, the polymer in disposable
nappies.
Answer these questions with the possible answers
below:
-

What property has polyacrylate that makes it useful for nappies?

Can you think of other properties of polymers that make them useful
for other uses?

(Put in order the letters of the bold word). Polyacrylate is an

abbenosrt polymer. You will now observe this property and predict and
test how much distilled water can be poured into a disposable nappy.
Work in groups of 4.
Polyacrylate Crystals Demonstration:
Materials Needed:

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1 plastic teaspoons

1/4 tsp measuring spoon

1/4 tsp sodium polyacrylate

2 clear disposable cups

1 100-mL graduated cylinder

200 mL distilled water

1 tsp table salt

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IES Valldemossa

Procedure:
1. Place 1/4 tsp of sodium polyacrylate crystals into a clear plastic cup.
2. Pour 150 mL of distilled water into the other clear plastic cup. Begin
stirring the water with the plastic spoon. QUICKLY pour the entire 1/4
tsp of sodium polyacrylate into the water. Stir it QUICKLY and remove
the spoon.
3. Wait a few seconds for the water to be absorbed. The swirling will stop
when it is absorbed, meaning that the substance has become a gel.
Predict what will happen when you turn the container upside down:
It will fall out

it will adhere to the bottom

4. Turn the container upside down.

5. Measure 1 tsp of table salt with a spoon and pour it over the sodium
polyacrylate gel in the cup. The gel will begin to "leak" water and begin
to "collapse" as a gel.
Think about why the salt had this effect on the gel.
Here you have a text where you have to separate words, that will
help you to know the answer:
Osmosisistheflowofasolvent(water)throughasemi-permeablemembrane(like
thecellmembrane)[Link]
usuallyattributedtothenaturaltendencytobalancebothside'ssolute
[Link]:
Flow: movement of a liquid
Concentrated solution: with more salt in it
Balance: make equal

Now write down why have you obtained a gel and why salt has that
effect on gel. Use the following writing support and work in pairs.
Since there is a lot of sodium inside sodium polyacrylate, distilled water
_________________________ into the polymer.
When water is inside the polymer, it ___________to it by hydrogen bonding.
The result is that the polymer absorbs a lot of water and swells, creating a
gel.
When _____is added to the gel, there is a ________concentration of salt
outside the polymer so _______ tends to flow from the polymer to outside it,
and the gel collapses.

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Activity 29 Report
demonstration.

about

the

experiment

on

Polyacrylate

crystals

REMEMBER When you report your experiment to the rest of the class you
have to think about:
1. what you synthesised.
2. what materials you were given.
3. what steps you followed.
4. what results you got.
Write down a report taking into account the four points. Here you have
some help:
1. We synthesised ........
2. The teacher gave us .........
3. First,......
Second,......
Third,......
Finally,......
4. We found out that .......
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Now read it for the rest of the class. The rest of the class has to follow
your explanation and think of three good points (*) of your explanation
and one point that could be better (-).

Group
Clear explanation
Correct process in following the steps
Understanding of main concepts
Other ------------------

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Plastics

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Have you ever heard of Polymers? Handout 21

Activity 30 Absorbent polymers. Part II

Disposable Nappy Activity:
You have to investigate how much distilled water, tap water or salted
water can be poured into 1 medium sized disposable nappy.
Disposable nappies have sodium polyacrylate, the absorbent polymer
you have studied in the previous lesson.
Work in groups of 4. The teacher will give each group either distilled water,
tap water or salted water.
How much distilled water, tap water or salted water do you think the
nappy will absorbe? (fill in the first column)
predicted volume

volume found

Distilled water
Tap water
Salted water
Remember that in the previous experiment we used 1/8th of sodium
polyacrylate present in medium-size nappies and it absorbed 150 mL.
Materials Needed:

1 medium sized disposable nappy

2 plastic teaspoons

2 large plastic ziploc bags

1 clear plastic cup labeled at 50, 100 and 200 mL
Either 1000 mL of distilled water, 1000 mL of tap water or 500 mL of
salted water
1 large plastic ziploc bag
100 mL cylinder

Steps you have to follow:

1. Add 100mL either of distilled water, tap water or salted water
depending on the group you are each time into the nappy.
2. Write down the volume found in the right column of the table above.
3. One member of each group will tell the others the amount of liquid
poured in the nappy and they will write down the results in the table
above. To say that you can use the next writing support:
The nappy absorbed mL of distilled water/ tap water/salted water.

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Plastics

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Have you ever heard of Polymers? Handout 22

Activity 31 Thinking about absorbent polymers.
1. Say and discuss in your group if it is true or false:
The absorbent material in disposable nappies is the polymer cellulose.
The absorbent material in disposable nappies is the polymer sodium
polyacrylate.
Water goes inside the nappy because of osmosis phenomenon.
Water goes inside the nappy because of electronic attraction.
Water stays inside the polymer because of hydrogen bonds.
When distilled water is used the volume is bigger because the
difference of salt concentration outside and inside the polymer is
bigger.
When salted water is used the volume is lower because the solution is
more viscous.
Urine is only composed of water.
Urine is 95% water and 5% different salts and organic chemicals.

2. After checking within the plenary try to answer these questions:

Why are there differences in the volume found of distilled water, tap
water or salted water?
_

Which substance tested is most like urine?

What does this tell us about the actual absorbency of the nappies?
- Nappies absorb approximately _
mL of urine.
3. Jigsaw game. Work in groups. Each group is going to create
a paragraph of a text. For each sentence of the paragraph do
the activity required below.

Group number 1
1st sentence: choose the most appropriate underlined word:
When salt water is poured onto/of/into/inside a nappy instead
onto/of/into/inside distilled water, the tendency onto/of/into/inside water to
move onto/of/into/inside the nappy is not as great, since there is salt both
onto/of/into/inside and outside the nappy.
2nd sentence: number the following lines in the correct order:
( )
salt water than
( )
As a result the
( )
distilled water.
( )
nappy will absorb much less

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3rd sentence: separate words in the following sentence:

When5teaspoonsofsaltaredissolvedin500mLdistilledwateratroomtemperature,
amediumsizednappycanabsorbonlyabout250mLofthesaltwaterbeforeitbeginst
o"leak"water.
4th sentence: order the words in the next sentence:
urine volume salted to be nappy of actual water than salted similar is As water
the closer will a absorbency the distilled water to more.
___
___
5th sentence: re-arrange the underlined words
obyrbnecsA is the ytporrep that some malreatsi have and is the capacity to
retain uqilids inside.
Group number 2
1st sentence: number the following lines in the correct order:
( )
a polymer, sodium polyacrylate.
( )
The absorbent material
( )
in disposable nappies is
2nd sentence: separate words in the following sentence:
Thenappypolymerisreallyacopolymer(2polymerslinkedtogether),andshapedlik
earailroadtrackmadeofsodiumpolyacrylateandbis(acrylamide).
3rd sentence: write the verb in the correct person.
The sodium polyacrylate strands .................... (be) the parallel long "rails" of
the track, and the bis(acrylamide) .................... (make) up the railroad "ties".
4th sentence: order the words in the next sentence:
The bonding hydrogen by water absorb can that groups many contains
polymer.
___
5th sentence: choose the most appropriate underlined word:
When water moves into/of/out the nappy, one into/of/out the main reasons it
stays is because into/of/out these hydrogen bonds.
Group number 3
1st sentence: number the following lines in the correct order:
( )
of osmosis,
( )
The water moves
( )
into the nappy because
( )
the diffusion of water through
( )
a semipermeable membrane.

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2nd sentence: write the verb in the correct person.

Distilled water on the outside of the nappy .................... (contain) no sodium
ions but the polymer inside .................... (have) a lot of these.
3rd sentence: separate words in the following sentence:
Thewaterwillmoveacrossthenappyliningtotrytoequalizetheconcentrationofsodi
umonbothsidesofthemembrane.
4th and 5th sentences: choose the most appropriate underlined word:
Since there is a lot of/into/to/by sodium inside the nappy, the water has a
strong tendency of/into/to/by move of/into/to/by the nappy. When the water is
inside the nappy, it attaches of/into/to/by the polymer of/into/to/by hydrogen
bonding.
6th sentence: order the underlined words
The result is that the nappy olreypm asorbsb a lot of water and swells,
creating a gel. It is estimated that the nappy polymer can hold 800 times its
tihewg in distilled aretw.

4. We are going to reorder groups by joining one person of each group

together. So now in each group there are persons who worked in the different
paragraphs.
The teacher will give you the paragraphs written and in the group you will put
them in order.

Paste here the whole text in order

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Plastics

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Giving shape to plastics. Handout 23

Activity 32 Manufacturing processes.

With the information given in the powerpoint presentation (Manufacturing
processes) you have to fill in next table. You have to say if the process uses a
mould or not, if extrusion is present in the process, if the plastic is molten, and
give one example of objects made by this process.
Process

Mould?

Extruder
present?

Molten
plastic?

Example of
objects

Extrusion
Injection
moulding
Blow moulding
Immersion
moulding
Mangling
Foaming
Vacuum
forming
After checking the information written in the table above, work in pairs and ask
and answer the next questions. First orally and then write down the answers
(full sentences):
1. In which process is the plastic cold? ______________________________
2. Which processes use molten plastic?

___________________________

_____________________________________________________________
3. Which processes use softened plastic? ___________________________
4. In which processes is pressure important? _________________________
_____________________________________________________________
5. Why is important pressure in those processes? ______________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
6. Which processes dont use a mould? ______________________________
______________________________________________________________
7. Which processes use a extruder?_________________________________
______________________________________________________________

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a) extrusion
b) injection moulding
c) blow moulding
d) immersion moulding ?
e) mangling
f) foaming
g) vacuum forming

8. What object can be made by

(Name of an object) can be made

by

a) extrusion
b) injection moulding
c) blow moulding
d) immersion moulding
e) mangling
f) foaming
g) vacuum forming

a) ______________________________________________________
b) ______________________________________________________
c) ______________________________________________________
d) ______________________________________________________
e) ______________________________________________________
f) ______________________________________________________
g) ______________________________________________________
Put in the vowels needed in order to complete the names of the seven
processes studied.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

_ nj_ ct_ _ n m_ _ ld_ ng

_ mm_ rs_ _ n m_ _ ld_ ng
f_ _ m_ ng
_ xtr_ s_ _ n
v_ c_ _ m f_ rm_ ng
m_ ngl_ ng
bl_ w m_ _ ld_ ng

Next to each object put the number corresponding to the process used
to obtain it:

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Giving shape to plastics. Handout 24

MANUFACTURING PROCESSES

EXTRUSION

Extrusion
Injection moulding
Blow moulding
Immersion moulding
Mangling
Foaming
Vacuum forming

INJECTION MOULDING

BLOW MOULDING

The molten plastic is injected into a mould

under great pressure.
The pressure is given by a plunger.
This method is used to produce bins, boxes,...

Plastic coming from the extruder goes inside the mould.

Plastic takes the shape of the mould when air at
pressure is blown into.
By this method you can produce bottles, containers,...

IMMERSION MOULDING

MANGLING

The mould is introduced in a bath of molten plastic.

Plastic solidifies when cooling and takes the shape of
the mould.
This method is used to produce washing gloves, tool
handles, covers, ...

Plastic is introduced through a hopper.

The heater melts the plastic and makes it move.
The plastic gets the shape of the die.
This method is used to produce pipes, tubes,...

Molten plastic coming from the extruder is obliged to

move between a cylinder assembly.
Cylinders are closer in each step. Thus, thickness
diminishes and width increases.
This method is used to obtain sheets, plates,...

FOAMING

VACUUM FORMING

Air or another gas is breathed into a molten plastic.

Air stays inside the plastic when it cools down.
The result is a foam.
By this method you can produce mattresses, cushions,
insulating materials, sponges,...

The plastic plate is fixed to a frame and soften by heat.

With vacuum it adapts to the mould.
This method is used to obtain ice cube containers, egg
cartons,...

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Plastics

IES Valldemossa

Giving shape to plastics. Handout 25

Activity 33 Simulation of manufacturing processes.

Make 4 groups.
Each group is going to do a simulation of a manufacturing process studied in
the previous lesson and then report it to the rest of the class. The teacher will
do one more simulation.
In order to better understand the concept of simulation do the
following tasks:
1. Put the words in order:
a is A simulation model. ______ _______ ________ _______ ______
2. Add the vowels needed:
Th_ s_ m_ l_ t_ _ n

_s

n_ t

th_

r_ _ l

pr_ c_ ss.

3. Number the following lines in the correct order:

( )
technology class.
( )
We use simulation experiments
( )
cant be done in the
( )
processes that
( )
to better understand
First simulation: Group 1
Follow the steps and answer:
1. Fill the syringe with play dough.
2. Insert the plunger and put pressure on it.
- What happens?
________________________________________________________
- What is the shape of the plasticine when it goes out from the syringe?
________________________________________________________
- Which is the manufacturing process simulated in this activity?
________________________________________________________
- Do you remember what objects can be made by this method?
________________________________________________________

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Plastics

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Second simulation: Group 2

Follow the steps and answer:
1. Take a plastic bottle and make a small hole at the bottom.
2. Insert a balloon and blow it up inside and keep it blown up.
-

What is the shape of the blown up balloon?

________________________________________________________

What property does the plastic material of the balloon have that allows
to do that kind of transformation?
________________________________________________________

What kind of transformation simulates this experience?

________________________________________________________

Imagine now, that instead of a balloon you have a hot narrow plastic
tube, softened and closed at one end. What would happen if you blew
inside the tube up?
________________________________________________________

What would happen once the plastic cooled down?

________________________________________________________

Third simulation: Group 3

Follow the steps and answer:
1. Fill a glass with approximately 100mL of water.
2. Add a bit of liquid soap and stir it.
3. With a straw blow inside.
- What can you observe?
___________________________________________________________
- What does the water with soap represent?
___________________________________________________________
- What is the simulated method?
___________________________________________________________
- Do you remember what objects can be made by this method?
___________________________________________________________

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Plastics

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Fourth simulation: Group 4

Follow the steps and answer:
1. Put a bit of play dough on the table.
2. Wet a glass bottle with liquid soap, in order to avoid play dough from
sticking.
3. Put pressure to the play dough making circular movements with the
bottle.
4. Repeat this movement until you have a thin layer of play dough.
-

What is the simulated method?

________________________________________________________

What does the bottle represent? And the play dough?

________________________________________________________

Do you remember what objects can be made by this method?

________________________________________________________

Fifth simulation: Teacher

The teacher will do the simulation below while you answer the following
questions:
1. Liquid caramel preparation: gently heating 1kg sugar with a bit of
water, stirring without stopping until sugar has melted and an
homogeneous mixture is obtained. Turn off heat.
2. Wash an apple and knock a wood stick in at the bottom.
3. Sink the apple in the molten sugar. Take the apple out and let it cool
down on vegetal paper.
-

Whats the shape the caramel has taken?

________________________________________________________

What does the apple represent? And the molten sugar?

________________________________________________________

What is the simulated method?

________________________________________________________

Do you remember what objects can be made by this method?

________________________________________________________

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Plastics

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Giving shape to plastics. Handout 26

Activity 34 Report about the simulation of manufacturing processes of

plastics.
REMEMBER When you report your experiment to the rest of the class you
have to think about:
1. what you simulated.
2. what materials you were given.
3. what steps you followed.
4. the answer to the questions in your simulation.
Write down a report taking into account the four points.

___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Now read or explain it to the rest of the class. Make sure they
understand so as they can answer the questions in your simulation.
The rest of the class has to follow your explanation, answering the
questions in the corresponding simulation and thinking of three good
points (*) of your explanation and one point that could be better (-).
Group
Clear explanation
Correct process in following the steps
Understanding of the main concepts
Other ------------------

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Plastics

IES Valldemossa

Giving shape to plastics. Handout 27

Activity 35. Tools and machines used to give shape to plastics in the
technology classroom.
The teacher is going to show you some of the tools and machines
used in the technology classroom, which you may use in the future
lessons. At the same time you will see a powerpoint presentation.
Fill in the chart with the name of the tool or the machine (by
writing the vowels) and its use (by putting words in order):

PICTURE

NAME

USE

R_ L_ R

and Measuring lines

drawing.

_ NG_ N_ _ RS
SQ_ _ R_

D_ V_ D_ RS

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Plastics

angles right at lines

Marking angles right
checking and edge the
to.
and arcs out marking
and measurements
Transferring circles.

IES Valldemossa

marking and Cutting.

TR_ MM_ NG
KN_ F_

C_ P_ NG

PICTURE

S_ W

in curves Cutting plastics

and wood.

H_ CKS_ W

metals Cutting plastics

and.

NAME

USE

F_ L_ S

Polishing smoothing
and.

holes Drilling.
P_ LL_ R

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DR_ LL

Plastics

IES Valldemossa

BR_ D_ WL

small Marking holes.

CL_ MP

work Holding together.

_ NG_ N_ _ RS
V_ C_

together work Holding.

F_ LD_ NG
M_ CH_ N_

plastics Folding.

V_ C_ _ M
F_ RM_ R

Moulding vacuum with

plastics.

Giving shape to plastics. Handout 28

Activity 36. Which tool or machine would you use for...?
Work in groups of 4. Cards game.
In this game there are 39 cards: 13 with the drawing of a tool or machine, 13
with the name of the tool or machine and 13 with the operation these tools or
machines can be used for. The teacher will hand out the 39 cards between
the students of each group.
You have to make as many families as you can: a family is a group of three
cards: drawing, name and use of a tool or machine.
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Student number 1 asks anyone in his group (student 2) for a particular card. If
student 2 has the card he has to give it to student 1 and student 1 can
continue asking for cards until someone doesnt have the required card. When
the person asked doesnt have the card he continues the game. The person
who has more families wins. When someone completes a family he has to
show it to the others to check if it is correct.

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Plastics

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Giving shape to plastics. Handout 29

Measuring and marking

Ruler

Tools and machines for

plastics

Engineers square
Dividers
Trimming knife

Cutting and sawing

Polishing

Trimming knife

Files

Coping saw

Hacksaw

Drilling: making holes

Holding
Clamps

Bradawl

Pillar drill

Engineers vice

Folding

Moulding

Folding machine

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Vacuum former

Plastics

IES Valldemossa

Giving shape to plastics. Handout 30

Activity 37. Using the folding machine.
Work individually:
1st. You have to decide which object you are going to make. It can be anything
you like but some of the possibilities are:
- book holder
- picture frame
- hanger
- Other: __________
2nd. Design your object. For example: if you want to do a book holder which
shape you would like, if you want to do a picture frame what measures,...
Take a white piece of paper and draw your design and write the measures of
the plastic sheet you will need. Decide where are you going to fold the sheet
and which folding angle.
3rd. Take the plastic sheet and mark with a trimming knife the lines of your
design:
- the shape for a book holder.
- the lines where you want to fold it.
4th. Do the folding process:
a) Place the folding machine in a plane and
roomy surface in order to work confortably.
Switch it on. The red light will be on.
b) Once the filament is hot, after 5 minutes
more or less, the folding machine is ready to
be used.
c) Situate correctly the stoppers in order to do a
correct folding.
d) Situate the plastic sheet in such a way that
the folding line coincides with the hot
filament.

e) Once the plastic softens you can fold it with

your hands if it is a 360 angle or with a
calibre with the desired angle fixed.

Be careful!! Dont burn yourself!!!

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Plastics

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Giving shape to plastics. Handout 31

Activity 38. Reporting your design.
You have to write a report of your design.
What should it be in your report?
-

Nria Bou

Front page: title, your name, your course, date of the handing out.
Index.
General description of your design.
Picture/s of your design.
Tools, machines and materials used (a list).
Steps followed.
Evaluation (how did you work, what did you like most/least, what
could be improved,...).

Plastics

IES Valldemossa

Giving shape to plastics. Handout 32

Activity 39. Using the vacuum former.
Work individually:
1st. You have to decide which design are you going to give to your mould. It
can be anything you like, but keep inside the measures the teacher tells you.
2nd. Draw your design in a sheet of paper. Cut it with the scissors. This is your
model.
3rd. Draw your model three or four times on cardboard. Cut them with a
trimming knife.
4th. On a rectangular cardboard surface with the appropriate measures (it
depends on your vacuum former, the teacher will tell you that) glue the
different cardboard layers you have just cut.
5th. Put plaster around the cardboard layers, being sure no holes are left.
Grease your mould with recycled oil and a brush.
6th. Do the moulding process:
a) Switch on the vacuum former
and wait 15 minutes to get it
ready. Insert your mould.
b) Correctly subject the plastic
sheet with the clamp ring,
avoiding air inputs in the whole
perimetre of the clamp ring.
c) Heat the plastic sheet with the
vacuum former resistances until
it softens. Then remove the
resistances.
d) Switch the vacuum pump on.
The plastic will adapt to your
mould.
e) Wait a few seconds, switch the
vacuum pump off, give pressure
blowings of air to help the
separation of the plastic and the
mould.

Be careful!! Dont burn yourself!!!

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Giving shape to plastics. Handout 33

Activity 40. Reporting your design.
You have to write a report of your design.
What should it be in your report?
-

Nria Bou

Front page: title, your name, your course, date of the handing out.
Index.
General description of your design.
Picture/s of your design.
Tools, machines and materials used (a list).
Steps followed.
Evaluation (how did you work, what did you like most/least, what
could be improved,...).

Plastics

IES Valldemossa