Question

Soft drinks bottles and baby feeding bottles are generally made up of ____.
A: polyester
B: polyurethane
C: polystyrene
D: polyamide

Answer 1

The molecules given in the options are all polymers. A polymer is a complex molecule which generally refers to a chain of several numbers of monomers that have the capability to form a chemical bond with other molecules present in a long chain. Among given polymers, we have to identify the one which can be readily moulded and such that fine details may be printed over it so that soft drinks bottles and baby feeding bottles can be made from it.

Complete step by step answer:
Let us discuss each of the polymer given in the options one by one:
Option A: Polyester is actually a synthetic polymer made up of either purified terephthalic acid (PTA) or its dimethyl ester i.e. dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) or monoethylene glycol (MEG). It is generally used as insulating and cushioning material in pillows, comforters and upholstery padding, and are also used to make films, tarpaulin, canoes, holograms, filters or dielectric film for capacitors.
Option B: Polyurethane is a thermosetting polymer consisting of organic units that are joined by carbamate links. It can be tailored to be either flexible or rigid and is generally used for the insulation of freezers and refrigerators, building insulation and cushioning for furniture.
Option C: Polystyrene is a synthetic thermoplastic polymer made up of styrene. It can easily be moulded and is generally utilised in protective packaging (like packing peanuts), disposable cutlery, containers, bottles, trays, tumblers, baby feeding bottles and in making models.
Option D: Polyamide, also known as Nylon, is also a synthetic thermoplastic material that can be processed into films, fibres or shapes. It is a copolymer consisting of amide linkages formed by the reaction of difunctional monomers consisting of equal parts of carboxylic acid and amines.
Hence, soft drinks bottles and baby feeding bottles are generally made up of polystyrene.

So, the correct answer is Option C.

Note: Polystyrene is basically an aromatic hydrocarbon polymer which is synthesized using the monomer styrene via a radical polymerisation method. The reaction involving structure of monomer and polymer is depicted below: