Waste thermosoftening polymer is heated and pressed into new laboratory trays. Why can the polymer be remoulded when it is heated?
The strong covalent bonds within each polymer chain are broken, allowing individual atoms to move.
The long tangled polymer chains become shorter, allowing the chains to slide over each other.
The weak forces between separate polymer chains are overcome, allowing the chains to move past each other.
The strong cross-links between the polymer chains are broken, allowing the chains to move apart.
118 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Chemistry 10.3 Using materials, covering 10.3.1 Corrosion and its prevention, 10.3.2 Alloys as useful materials, and 10.3.3 Ceramics, polymers and composites. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.