Chapter 8 POLYMERS

Multiple Choice Quiz

There are 31 correct answers in this multiple choice quiz (some questions have multiple answers that are
correct). To achieve a perfect score on the quiz, all correct answers must be given. Each correct answer is
worth 1 point. Each omitted answer or wrong answer reduces the score by 1 point. Percentage score on the
quiz is based on the total number of correct answers.
8.1 Of the three polymer types, which one is the most important commercially: (a) elastomers, (b)
thermoplastics, or (c) thermosets?

8.2 Which one of the three polymer types is not a plastic: (a) elastomers, (b) thermoplastics, or (c)
thermosets?

8.3 Which one of the three polymer types does not involve cross-linking: (a) elastomers, (b) thermoplastics,
or (c) thermosets?

8.4 Which one of the three polymer types involves the greatest amount of cross-linking: (a) elastomers, (b)
thermoplastics, or (c) thermosets?

8.5 Degree of polymerization is which one of the following: (a) average number of mers in the molecule
chain; (b) proportion of the monomer that has been polymerized; (c) sum of the molecule weights of the mers
in the molecule; or (d) none of the above?

8.6 A branched molecular structure is stronger in the solid state and more viscous in the molten state than a
linear structure for the same polymer: (a) true or (b) false?

8.7 Copolymers are best described by which one of the following: (a) mixtures of two different polymer
types, (b) polymers consisting of a mixture of crystallized and amorphous phases, (c) polymers whose
molecules are made of repeating units of two different types, or (d) two parallel linear polymer chains that are
cross-linked?

8.8 As the degree of crystallinity in a given polymer increases, the polymer becomes denser and stiffer, and
its melting temperature decreases: (a) true or (b) false?

8.9 As the temperature of a polymer increases, its density (a) increases, (b) decreases, or (c) remains fairly
constant?
© Mikell P. Groover 2012
Excerpts from this work may be reproduced by instructors for distribution on a not-for-profit basis for testing or instructional purposes only to students
enrolled in courses for which the textbook has been adopted. Any other reproduction or translation of this work beyond that permitted by Sections 107 or 108
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8.10 As the temperature of an amorphous polymer decreases from the liquid state, the polymer changes from
liquid to rubbery. As temperature continues to decline a temperature is reached at which the material becomes
hard and brittle. This temperature is called which one of the following: (a) freezing point, (b) glass transition
temperature, (c) melting temperature, or (d) recrystallization temperature?

8.11 Plasticizers are chemicals added to a polymer to make it softer and more flexible and to improve its flow
characteristics during forming: (a) true or (b) false?

8.12 The defining property of a thermoplastic polymer is that it can be heated from a solid state to a viscous
liquid state and then cooled back down to solid, and that this heating and cooling cycle can be applied
multiple times without degrading the polymer: (a) true or (b) false?

8.13 Which one of the following is the chemical formula for the repeating unit in polyethylene: (a) CH 2, (b)
C2H4, (c) C3H6, (d) C5H8, or (e) C8H8?

8.14 Which of the following plastics has the highest market share: (a) phenolics, (b) polyethylene, (c)
polypropylene, (d) polystyrene, or (e) polyvinylchloride?

8.15 Which of the following polymers are normally thermoplastic (four best answers): (a) acrylics, (b)
cellulose acetate, (c) nylon, (d) phenolics, (e) polychloroprene, (f) polyesters, (g) polyethylene, (h)
polyisoprene, and (i) polyurethane?

8.16 Polystyrene (without plasticizers) is amorphous, transparent, and brittle: (a) true or (b) false?

8.17 The fiber rayon used in textiles is based on which one of the following polymers: (a) cellulose, (b)
nylon, (c) polyester, (d) polyethylene, or (e) polypropylene?

8.18 The basic difference between low-density polyethylene and high-density polyethylene is that the latter
has a much higher degree of crystallinity: (a) true or (b) false?

8.19 Compared to thermoplastics, thermosetting polymers are characterized by which of the following
properties (four best answers): (a) cannot be remelted, (b) capable of higher service temperatures, (c) higher
modulus of elasticity, (d) less ductile, (e) lower modulus of elasticity, and (f) more ductile?
© Mikell P. Groover 2012
Excerpts from this work may be reproduced by instructors for distribution on a not-for-profit basis for testing or instructional purposes only to students
enrolled in courses for which the textbook has been adopted. Any other reproduction or translation of this work beyond that permitted by Sections 107 or 108
of the 1976 United States Copyright Act without the permission of the copyright owner is unlawful.
8.20 Curing of thermosetting polymers is accomplished at the fabrication plants rather than the chemical
plants that supply the starting materials: (a) true or (b) false?

8.21 Among the thermosetting polymers, the most widely used commercially is which one of the following:
(a) epoxies, (b) phenolics, (c) silicones, or (d) urethanes?

8.22 Curing of elastomers is known as which one of the following terms: (a) crystallization, (b) firing, (c)
reinforcing, (d) sintering, or (e) vulcanization?

8.23 The chemical formula for polyisoprene in natural rubber is which of the following: (a) CH 2, (b) C2H4,
(c) C3H6, (d) C5H8, or (e) C8H8?

8.24 The leading commercial synthetic rubber is which one of the following: (a) butyl rubber, (b) isoprene
rubber, (c) polybutadiene, (d) polyurethane, (e) styrene-butadiene rubber, or (f) thermoplastic elastomers?

8.25 A partially biodegradable plastic consists of which one of the following: (a) a polymer that is
biodegradable and a natural filler that is not biodegradable, (b) a polymer that is not biodegradable and a
natural filler that is biodegradable, (c) a polymer that requires more than 20 years to degrade naturally, or (d)
two polymers but only one of which is biodegradable?