The World Without Us Chapter 9 & 10 Norman

Chapter 9 Plastic – Nurdles Raw materials of plastic (Acrylic, Polyester, Polyethylene, Polyproylen, etc) Move great distances into beaches and oceans Kill animals – Choke hazards – Digestive problems

Chapter 9 Recovery – Chlorine + Polymers = Stronger polymers Revolutionized apparel industry Mass production – Biodegrade by microbes 100,000 years to evolve to consume and biodegrade plastic 100,000+ years to consume and biodegrade plastic Plastic is a polymer*

Chapter 10 Rubber – Polymer called Elastomer – Charles Goodyear (1839) Mixed together elastomer and sulfur – Long polymer chains tied together with sulfur atoms. – Not biodegradable Physically shredded or worn down Extreme heat to melt down

Chapter 10 Oil – Discovered in Texas – Used for Computers, cars, factories, planes, homes, nuclear plants, and more. – Everything will burn (Maybe) When nuclear plants are left on = Burn & chemicals released into atmosphere When the flipped is switched off = shutdown until corrosion