Resources for Synthetic Materials - Middle School Physical Science
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What natural resource provides limestone ($ ext{CaCO}_3$) used as a filler in plastics and rubber?
What natural resource provides limestone ($ ext{CaCO}_3$) used as a filler in plastics and rubber?
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Limestone. Calcium carbonate adds strength and reduces plastic production costs.
Limestone. Calcium carbonate adds strength and reduces plastic production costs.
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What fossil-fuel raw material is the main source of the monomer propylene?
What fossil-fuel raw material is the main source of the monomer propylene?
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Petroleum (and sometimes natural gas liquids). Propylene is derived from cracking petroleum hydrocarbons.
Petroleum (and sometimes natural gas liquids). Propylene is derived from cracking petroleum hydrocarbons.
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Which natural resource provides silica ($ ext{SiO}_2$) used to make synthetic glass and fiberglass?
Which natural resource provides silica ($ ext{SiO}_2$) used to make synthetic glass and fiberglass?
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Sand (silica-rich sand). Silica sand is melted at high temperatures to form glass products.
Sand (silica-rich sand). Silica sand is melted at high temperatures to form glass products.
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What natural resource is the main source of iron used to make steel for many synthetic materials and alloys?
What natural resource is the main source of iron used to make steel for many synthetic materials and alloys?
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Iron ore. Iron ore is smelted to produce iron, then converted to steel alloys.
Iron ore. Iron ore is smelted to produce iron, then converted to steel alloys.
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What fossil-fuel raw material is the main source of the monomer ethylene?
What fossil-fuel raw material is the main source of the monomer ethylene?
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Petroleum or natural gas. These fossil fuels contain hydrocarbons that are cracked to produce ethylene.
Petroleum or natural gas. These fossil fuels contain hydrocarbons that are cracked to produce ethylene.
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What is the primary natural resource used to make most common plastics (synthetic polymers)?
What is the primary natural resource used to make most common plastics (synthetic polymers)?
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Crude oil (petroleum). Petroleum is refined into monomers like ethylene for plastic production.
Crude oil (petroleum). Petroleum is refined into monomers like ethylene for plastic production.
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What natural resource is commonly refined into ethane and propane for making plastics?
What natural resource is commonly refined into ethane and propane for making plastics?
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Natural gas. Natural gas contains ethane and propane, key building blocks for plastics.
Natural gas. Natural gas contains ethane and propane, key building blocks for plastics.
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What natural resource provides latex used to make natural rubber, which can be blended into synthetic rubbers?
What natural resource provides latex used to make natural rubber, which can be blended into synthetic rubbers?
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Rubber trees (latex from Hevea brasiliensis). Natural latex can be chemically modified or blended with synthetics.
Rubber trees (latex from Hevea brasiliensis). Natural latex can be chemically modified or blended with synthetics.
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What natural resource is the main source of aluminum used in lightweight alloys?
What natural resource is the main source of aluminum used in lightweight alloys?
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Bauxite ore. Bauxite contains aluminum oxide, which is refined to pure aluminum metal.
Bauxite ore. Bauxite contains aluminum oxide, which is refined to pure aluminum metal.
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What natural resource provides salt (brine) used to produce chlorine for PVC plastic?
What natural resource provides salt (brine) used to produce chlorine for PVC plastic?
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Salt deposits or seawater brine. Electrolysis of salt brine produces chlorine gas for PVC synthesis.
Salt deposits or seawater brine. Electrolysis of salt brine produces chlorine gas for PVC synthesis.
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What natural resource provides carbon for making synthetic rubber (for example, SBR) and many plastics?
What natural resource provides carbon for making synthetic rubber (for example, SBR) and many plastics?
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Fossil fuels (petroleum and natural gas). Fossil fuels provide carbon chains needed for synthetic polymer production.
Fossil fuels (petroleum and natural gas). Fossil fuels provide carbon chains needed for synthetic polymer production.
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Which natural resource is a major source of sulfur used to make sulfuric acid for industrial synthesis?
Which natural resource is a major source of sulfur used to make sulfuric acid for industrial synthesis?
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Sulfur from mineral deposits or petroleum refining. Sulfur is oxidized to make sulfuric acid, a key industrial chemical.
Sulfur from mineral deposits or petroleum refining. Sulfur is oxidized to make sulfuric acid, a key industrial chemical.
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Identify the natural resource used to make nylon when its key starting chemicals come from fossil fuels.
Identify the natural resource used to make nylon when its key starting chemicals come from fossil fuels.
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Petroleum (or natural gas). Nylon monomers like adipic acid come from petroleum processing.
Petroleum (or natural gas). Nylon monomers like adipic acid come from petroleum processing.
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Which natural resource is used to produce polyester when its starting chemicals come from fossil fuels?
Which natural resource is used to produce polyester when its starting chemicals come from fossil fuels?
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Petroleum (crude oil). Polyester's terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol derive from petroleum.
Petroleum (crude oil). Polyester's terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol derive from petroleum.
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Which option is a renewable natural resource feedstock for some synthetic materials: petroleum or biomass?
Which option is a renewable natural resource feedstock for some synthetic materials: petroleum or biomass?
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Biomass. Biomass is renewable as plants regrow, unlike finite fossil fuels.
Biomass. Biomass is renewable as plants regrow, unlike finite fossil fuels.
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What natural resource is the main source of copper used in electrical wiring and electronics?
What natural resource is the main source of copper used in electrical wiring and electronics?
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Copper ore. Copper ore is refined through smelting to extract pure copper metal.
Copper ore. Copper ore is refined through smelting to extract pure copper metal.
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Which option is a nonrenewable natural resource feedstock for many plastics: crude oil or wood pulp?
Which option is a nonrenewable natural resource feedstock for many plastics: crude oil or wood pulp?
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Crude oil. Crude oil formed over millions of years and cannot be replenished.
Crude oil. Crude oil formed over millions of years and cannot be replenished.
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Identify the best natural resource source for PVC production when chlorine is required: salt or bauxite.
Identify the best natural resource source for PVC production when chlorine is required: salt or bauxite.
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Salt (brine). Salt provides chlorine through electrolysis, essential for PVC production.
Salt (brine). Salt provides chlorine through electrolysis, essential for PVC production.
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What natural resource is the main source of cellulose used to make rayon and cellophane?
What natural resource is the main source of cellulose used to make rayon and cellophane?
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Wood pulp (cellulose from trees). Cellulose fibers are chemically processed to create these materials.
Wood pulp (cellulose from trees). Cellulose fibers are chemically processed to create these materials.
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What plant-based natural resource is commonly fermented to make ethanol for bioplastics?
What plant-based natural resource is commonly fermented to make ethanol for bioplastics?
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Corn or sugarcane (biomass). Plant sugars ferment to ethanol, a building block for bioplastics.
Corn or sugarcane (biomass). Plant sugars ferment to ethanol, a building block for bioplastics.
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What natural resource is the main source of sulfur used to make sulfuric acid for industry?
What natural resource is the main source of sulfur used to make sulfuric acid for industry?
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Sulfur deposits (and sulfide ores). Elemental sulfur is oxidized to produce $SO_2$ then $H_2SO_4$.
Sulfur deposits (and sulfide ores). Elemental sulfur is oxidized to produce $SO_2$ then $H_2SO_4$.
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What natural resource is the main source of phosphorus used in fertilizers and detergents?
What natural resource is the main source of phosphorus used in fertilizers and detergents?
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Phosphate rock. Contains phosphate minerals processed into phosphoric acid.
Phosphate rock. Contains phosphate minerals processed into phosphoric acid.
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What natural resource is the main source of calcium compounds used to make cement?
What natural resource is the main source of calcium compounds used to make cement?
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Limestone (calcium carbonate). $CaCO_3$ is heated to produce lime for cement manufacturing.
Limestone (calcium carbonate). $CaCO_3$ is heated to produce lime for cement manufacturing.
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Which option best matches the natural resource to the synthetic product: bauxite → ?
Which option best matches the natural resource to the synthetic product: bauxite → ?
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Aluminum. Bauxite ore is refined to extract aluminum metal.
Aluminum. Bauxite ore is refined to extract aluminum metal.
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Which option best matches the natural resource to the synthetic product: petroleum → ?
Which option best matches the natural resource to the synthetic product: petroleum → ?
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Plastics. Petroleum hydrocarbons polymerize to form plastic materials.
Plastics. Petroleum hydrocarbons polymerize to form plastic materials.
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