Plastics
Plastics are materials that originate from fossil fuels, primarily oil. This oil undergoes various processes, being transformed and molded to create the versatile material we know as plastic.
Plastics have become an integral part of modern life due to their wide array of properties. They can be transparent, allowing us to see the contents inside packaging, or opaque for products that need to be shielded from light. Depending on their makeup, plastics can be incredibly resistant to chemicals, making them suitable for containers holding everything from household cleaners to cosmetics.
Their lightweight nature makes them ideal for reducing transportation costs, and they can be molded into intricate shapes, which is why they’re commonly used in everything from toy figurines to complex components in machines. Moreover, plastics can be thermally and electrically insulating, which is advantageous for products like electrical casings.
However, while plastics offer many benefits, they also come with challenges. One of the biggest issues is with single-use plastics, like straws and packaging. These items are used just once and then thrown away. Because plastics don’t break down easily, they can remain in the environment for hundreds of years. This leads to pollution in our oceans, harm to marine life, and clutter in our landscapes. As a result, there’s a growing movement to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics and find more sustainable alternatives.
Related Printables.
What Is Matter?
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-states-of-matter_01.small_.jpg)
Comparing the Mass of Solids
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-states-of-matter_02.small_.jpg)
Measuring the Volume of Liquids
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-states-of-matter_03.small_.jpg)
States of Matter
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-states-of-matter_04.small_.jpg)
The Changing States of Water
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-states-of-matter_05.small_.jpg)
Review – States of Matter
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/3-NGScience-states-of-matter_06.small_.jpg)
Transparency of Materials
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/5-NGScience-Matter-and-Materials_01.small_.jpg)
Electrical Conductivity
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/5-NGScience-Matter-and-Materials_02.small_.jpg)
Strength, Hardness and Flexibility
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/5-NGScience-Matter-and-Materials_03.small_.jpg)
Design, Build and Improve a Boat
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/5-NGScience-Matter-and-Materials_04.small_.jpg)
Safe and Suitable Materials
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/5-NGScience-Matter-and-Materials_05.small_.jpg)
Design and Build a Tent
![](https://ngscience.com/wp-content/uploads/5-NGScience-Matter-and-Materials_06.small_.jpg)
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