Polyethylene terephtalate

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/polyethylene-terephtalate

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. Who discovered Polyethylene terephtalate?Patented in 1941 by Whinfield and Dickson
2. What is the chemical formula?C10H8O4 (repeating unit)
3. What is the key monomers?Ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid
4. What is PET and why is it used for plastic bottles?PET is a type of plastic made from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol. It is clear, strong, and keeps drinks fresh.
5. How do scientists make PET bottles?PET is melted and shaped with machines like injection molding, blow molding, or extrusion. The process lets the plastic become a bottle that is light and hard.

Thermoplastic Polymer: A plastic that can be melted and molded repeatedly when heated.
Polymerization: The chemical process of linking small molecules (monomers) into long chains (polymers).
Circular Economy: An economic system aimed at minimizing waste and making the most of resources.