Question

The weakest interparticle forces are present in:
(A)Thermosetting polymers
(B)Thermoplastic polymers
(C)Fibers
(D)Elastomers

Answer 1

In today’s world people are very dependent on the use of plastics because plastics are used in a wide variety of applications ranging from throughway packaging to high- tech materials. However, the use of plastic has created a disposal problem.

Complete step by step answer:
We can define the following as follows.
Thermoplastic polymers: If we increase the temperature the bonds will break and the plastic will convert from solid state to the liquid state and it will started melt. In this case during the phase change the bonds will break, it will get weak and lose its strength also and it will lose its hardness also. But after the solidification this plastic regain its original property, original strength and the hardness so we can alter the shape this type of plastic. This particular polymer which shows this particular behavior is known as thermoplastic polymer.
Thermosetting polymers: in this type of polymer we cannot reverse the process, it is a totally irreversible process. If we start increasing the temperature in case of thermosetting polymer the bond will break and ultimately the plastic will be degraded and it will decompose.
Fibers: Here the intermolecular forces of attraction are very strong as such hydrogen-hydrogen bonding or dipole-dipole interaction. These strong intermolecular forces are responsible for the close packing of polymers.
Elastomers: Here different chains of polymers are held together by the weakest intermolecular forces. This is because the polymers can be stretchable.

Therefore, we can say that the correct answer is (D).

Additional information:
When we place a plastic bottle in a bin it is taken to a material recovery centre. There the product is sorted by type and the plastic bottles are separated by density and compressed into bales. Bottles are plastic, called flakes. It is washed by a special process in which the top layer of the flake is removed. The flake is then used in place of pellets made from virgin material. Flake is then molded back into bottles. The filled bottle is then distributed to stores to be bought and recycled again.

Note:
Due to the molecular stability of plastics they do not break down easily into the simpler components. Therefore, Plastics are not considered as biodegradable. Nowadays, researchers are working to develop biodegradable plastics that will disintegrate due to bacterial action or exposure to sunlight.