Plastic

Plastics are made from:
a) Metal oxides
b) Natural rubber
c) Synthetic polymers
d) Animal proteins
✅ c) Synthetic polymers
Explanation: Plastics are polymers made from petrochemical-based monomers.
Which of the following is a thermoplastic?
a) Bakelite
b) Melamine
c) PVC
d) Vulcanized rubber
✅ c) PVC
Explanation: Thermoplastics like PVC soften on heating.
Bakelite is used to make:
a) Plastic bags
b) Electric switches
c) Water bottles
d) Ropes
✅ b) Electric switches
Explanation: Bakelite is a heat-resistant thermosetting plastic.
Thermosetting plastics:
a) Can be remolded
b) Soften on heating
c) Harden permanently after heating
d) Are flexible
✅ c) Harden permanently after heating
Explanation: Once set, thermosetting plastics cannot be reshaped.
Which of the following is biodegradable?
a) Polythene
b) Nylon
c) Bioplastics
d) PVC
✅ c) Bioplastics
Explanation: Bioplastics are designed to degrade naturally.
Plastic is an example of a:
a) Conductor
b) Polymer
c) Salt
d) Metal
✅ b) Polymer
Explanation: Plastics are long chains of repeating units (monomers).
Which of the following is not a property of plastic?
a) Poor conductor of heat
b) Ductile
c) Non-biodegradable
d) Corrosion-resistant
✅ b) Ductile
Explanation: Plastics are not ductile like metals.
Which plastic is used in water pipes?
a) Bakelite
b) PET
c) PVC
d) Teflon
✅ c) PVC
Explanation: PVC is durable and used in plumbing.
Thermoplastics are:
a) Soft and brittle
b) Recyclable
c) Hard and irreversible
d) Made of glass
✅ b) Recyclable
Explanation: They can be melted and remolded.
The major environmental problem with plastics is:
a) High density
b) High cost
c) Non-biodegradability
d) Poor strength
✅ c) Non-biodegradability
Explanation: Plastics persist in nature and harm ecosystems.

NCERT-Inspired MCQs

The monomer of polythene is:
a) Ethanol
b) Ethene
c) Styrene
d) Propene
✅ b) Ethene
Explanation: Ethene polymerizes to form polythene.
Nylon is a:
a) Natural polymer
b) Synthetic polymer
c) Thermosetting plastic
d) Rubber derivative
✅ b) Synthetic polymer
Explanation: It’s made from petrochemicals.
Which plastic is used in making Teflon-coated pans?
a) PVC
b) PET
c) PTFE
d) Bakelite
✅ c) PTFE
Explanation: Teflon is the brand name for PTFE.
Which plastic is used in food packaging?
a) Nylon
b) Melamine
c) PET
d) PVC
✅ c) PET
Explanation: PET is food-safe and widely used for packaging.
Plastics that can conduct electricity are:
a) Conductive polymers
b) Thermoplastics
c) Thermosetting plastics
d) PET
✅ a) Conductive polymers
Explanation: Some modified polymers can carry current.
Which plastic is fire-resistant?
a) Polythene
b) PVC
c) Melamine
d) PET
✅ c) Melamine
Explanation: Used in kitchenware and furniture.
Bioplastics are made from:
a) Petroleum
b) Coal
c) Sugarcane/corn starch
d) Synthetic rubber
✅ c) Sugarcane/corn starch
Explanation: These are biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastics.
Which of the following is most polluting?
a) Paper
b) Jute
c) Cotton
d) Polythene
✅ d) Polythene
Explanation: Polythene is non-biodegradable and clogs drains.
Which organization controls plastic waste rules in India?
a) CPCB
b) WHO
c) DRDO
d) BARC
✅ a) CPCB
Explanation: Central Pollution Control Board oversees implementation.
Plastics can be recycled, but:
a) They remain biodegradable
b) They lose mechanical strength
c) They remain soft forever
d) They harden like metal
✅ b) They lose mechanical strength
Explanation: Recycled plastics degrade in quality.

Predicted & Advanced Conceptual MCQs

Which of the following can replace single-use plastics?
a) Nylon
b) Polyurethane
c) Biodegradable bags
d) PVC
✅ c) Biodegradable bags
Explanation: Made of starch and cellulose.
Which plastic is used in disposable bottles?
a) PET
b) PVC
c) PTFE
d) Bakelite
✅ a) PET
Explanation: Lightweight and food-safe.
Which plastic is used in electrical insulation?
a) Polythene
b) Bakelite
c) Nylon
d) PET
✅ b) Bakelite
Explanation: Excellent insulator and heat-resistant.
Plastic waste causes:
a) Soil enrichment
b) Improved water quality
c) Soil infertility
d) Better crop yield
✅ c) Soil infertility
Explanation: Prevents water seepage and root growth.
Which sector is the largest consumer of plastics in India?
a) Transport
b) Construction
c) Packaging
d) Automobiles
✅ c) Packaging
Explanation: Nearly 50% of plastic is used in packaging.
India’s Plastic Waste Management Rules were first framed in:
a) 2010
b) 2015
c) 2016
d) 2020
✅ c) 2016
Explanation: Updated later to include extended producer responsibility.
Nylon is used for:
a) Shoes
b) Tyres
c) Ropes
d) All of the above
✅ d) All of the above
Explanation: Strong and durable synthetic fiber.
The chemical name of Teflon is:
a) Polyvinyl chloride
b) Polytetrafluoroethylene
c) Polyethylene terephthalate
d) Polystyrene
✅ b) Polytetrafluoroethylene
Explanation: Non-stick and heat resistant.
What happens to plastics during incineration?
a) Nothing
b) They biodegrade
c) They release toxic gases
d) They produce electricity only
✅ c) They release toxic gases
Explanation: Burning plastics emits dioxins and CO.
Which plastic is used in synthetic clothing?
a) PVC
b) Nylon
c) PET
d) PTFE
✅ b) Nylon
Explanation: Durable, lightweight, and stretchable.

Plastics – MCQs 31 to 50 with Explanations

Which plastic is used for making flexible pipes?
a) Bakelite
b) Melamine
c) PVC
d) Polystyrene
✅ c) PVC
Explanation: Polyvinyl Chloride is flexible and durable, ideal for piping.
Which gas is released during the burning of plastics that is harmful?
a) Oxygen
b) Carbon dioxide
c) Sulphur dioxide
d) Dioxins
✅ d) Dioxins
Explanation: Dioxins are highly toxic and carcinogenic gases released from burning PVC.
PET plastic is used in:
a) Toys
b) Bottles
c) Electrical appliances
d) Paints
✅ b) Bottles
Explanation: PET is transparent, lightweight, and food-safe.
Which type of plastic is used in kitchen laminates?
a) PVC
b) Melamine
c) Nylon
d) Polythene
✅ b) Melamine
Explanation: Melamine resists heat and is used in kitchen surfaces and utensils.
The long chain of repeating units in plastic is called:
a) Monomer
b) Crystal
c) Polymer
d) Allotrope
✅ c) Polymer
Explanation: A polymer is made from many monomer units.
One of the major contributors to microplastics in oceans is:
a) Glass bottles
b) Thermocol
c) Synthetic clothes
d) Iron cans
✅ c) Synthetic clothes
Explanation: Washing nylon/polyester clothes releases plastic microfibers.
Plastic pollution affects marine life mainly through:
a) Temperature rise
b) Oil spills
c) Entanglement and ingestion
d) Increased salinity
✅ c) Entanglement and ingestion
Explanation: Animals often eat plastic mistaking it for food, leading to death.
Thermosetting plastics are:
a) Recyclable
b) Softened on heating
c) Once shaped, cannot be reshaped
d) Used for food packaging
✅ c) Once shaped, cannot be reshaped
Explanation: Thermosetting plastics form permanent bonds on heating.
Which is NOT a thermoplastic?
a) Nylon
b) PVC
c) Teflon
d) Bakelite
✅ d) Bakelite
Explanation: Bakelite is a thermosetting plastic used in electrical switches.
The first fully synthetic plastic developed was:
a) Nylon
b) Bakelite
c) PET
d) Polythene
✅ b) Bakelite
Explanation: Invented in 1907, Bakelite was the first synthetic plastic.
Which of these plastics is non-stick?
a) Teflon
b) Nylon
c) Melamine
d) PVC
✅ a) Teflon
Explanation: Teflon (PTFE) is used in non-stick cookware due to low friction.
Which ministry handles the Plastic Waste Management Rules in India?
a) Ministry of Petroleum
b) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
c) Ministry of Chemicals
d) Ministry of Textiles
✅ b) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Explanation: It regulates the generation, collection, and disposal of plastic waste.
The maximum thickness allowed for plastic carry bags in India (as per 2021 rules) is:
a) 40 microns
b) 50 microns
c) 75 microns
d) 120 microns
✅ d) 120 microns
Explanation: As per recent norms, plastic bags must be at least 120 microns thick to allow reuse and reduce pollution.
Which of the following is used to make synthetic ropes and fishing nets?
a) Polystyrene
b) PVC
c) Nylon
d) PET
✅ c) Nylon
Explanation: Nylon is strong and elastic, ideal for ropes and nets.
What is the main reason plastic is preferred over metals in packaging?
a) Non-reactivity
b) Corrosiveness
c) Weight
d) Poor strength
✅ a) Non-reactivity
Explanation: Plastics don’t react with food or chemicals, making them ideal for packaging.
Which plastic is commonly used to make CDs and DVDs?
a) Nylon
b) PET
c) Polycarbonate
d) Bakelite
✅ c) Polycarbonate
Explanation: Polycarbonate is durable and clear, used in optical discs.
What does “thermoplastic” mean?
a) Plastic that burns
b) Plastic that conducts electricity
c) Plastic that softens on heating
d) Plastic that decomposes
✅ c) Plastic that softens on heating
Explanation: Thermoplastics can be melted and reshaped multiple times.
The largest source of plastic waste in cities is:
a) Hospitals
b) Factories
c) Households and packaging
d) Schools
✅ c) Households and packaging
Explanation: Single-use packaging from households is the biggest contributor.
What is the best way to manage plastic pollution?
a) Burning
b) Landfilling
c) Recycling and reduction
d) Using more plastic
✅ c) Recycling and reduction
Explanation: 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) is the most sustainable solution.
Which one of the following plastics is used in making laboratory gloves?
a) PVC
b) PET
c) Nitrile
d) Bakelite
✅ c) Nitrile
Explanation: Nitrile gloves are chemical-resistant and used widely in labs and hospitals.