Plastic is very useful but what are the problems?
© Hamilton Trust 2011. This activity may be adapted for use by a teacher in his/her own class. It may not be reproduced for any other purpose.
LKS2 – MBr – S5 - Dress & Dance
Plastic collected to be sent away for recycling
© Hamilton Trust 2011. This activity may be adapted for use by a teacher in his/her own class. It may not be reproduced for any other purpose.
LKS2 – MBr – S5 - Dress & Dance
The words and definitions are muddled up can you sort them out?
rough
smooth
hard
soft
sharp
blunt
strong
weak
flexible
elastic
having an edge or point that can cut or puncture things
going back to its original shape after being pulled
having an edge or point that cannot cut or puncture things
not easily damaged or broken
having a bumpy, knobbly, or uneven surface
giving way if you push or press it, having a texture that is nice
to touch
able to bend without breaking
not having a rough or uneven surface
easily broken
firm, stiff, or rigid, and not easily cut, pierced, or bent
© Hamilton Trust 2011. This activity may be adapted for use by a teacher in his/her own class. It may not be reproduced for any other purpose.
LKS2 – MBr – S5 - Dress & Dance
Differentiated property words
Easy
Medium
Hard
rough
smooth
hard
soft
sharp
blunt
strong
weak
bendy
stretchy
runny
solid
transparent
opaque
rigid
flexible
permeable
waterproof
shiny
dull
absorbent
brittle
conductive
magnetic
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non-magnetic
reflective
strong
translucent
elastic
slimy
LKS2 – MBr – S5 - Dress & Dance
A Short History of Plastics
The history of plastics goes back more than 100 years and their use over the
past century has enabled society to make huge technological advances.
In the late 1850s an early plastic was invented by Alexander Parkes but it was
not until the 1930s it began to be used for mass production. Two scientific
developments during the 30s swept the plastics industry into mass production.
Firstly, manufacturers learnt how to make plastics from petroleum. Secondly,
injection moulding became much improved and fully automated in 1937.
This was an era when, for the first time, consumers were demanding
convenience, mainly because fewer people were employing domestic staff. As a
result, hygienic, easy-to-clean surfaces and labour saving devices were becoming
popular.
© Hamilton Trust 2011. This activity may be adapted for use by a teacher in his/her own class. It may not be reproduced for any other purpose.
LKS2 – MBr – S5 - Dress & Dance
The 1940s
World War II meant a huge boost for plastics.
Nylon, the first totally man-made fibre, had been discovered at the end of the
20s, but was not put to great use until the 40s. Consisting of long filaments
which could be spun and woven or knitted, the new plastic was used to make
everything from parachutes to upholstery and of course the wide skirts and
petticoats that were coming into fashion.
PVC really took off during this decade and into the 1950s. It could be used,
among other things, to make records. This discovery was well-timed because of
the boom of the popular music industry in this era. Polyethylene was first
discovered in 1933, but it was in the 50s that the material really took off thanks
to a new, safer production method. It was used for dustbins, baby baths and
chemical containers.
The 1950s
During the 50s plastics became very important to the clothing industry.
Polyester, Lycra and nylon were easy to wash, needed no ironing and were often
© Hamilton Trust 2011. This activity may be adapted for use by a teacher in his/her own class. It may not be reproduced for any other purpose.
LKS2 – MBr – S5 - Dress & Dance
cheaper than their natural alternatives and, as a result, were hugely popular with
consumers tired of the tyranny of housework.
The 1960s
In a decade famous for its emphasis on style and fashion, the fact that plastics
had become highly developed was a huge advantage. This led to the introduction
of a range of new products in the fashion world, including soft and hard foams
with a protective skin, wet-look polyurethane and transparent acrylic. Home
decor also benefited, where eccentric designer furniture such as inflatable
chairs and acrylic lights became ‘must haves’ for fashion-conscious consumers.
1960 saw the first use of PVC to bottle mineral water.
1970s
Plastics were playing an increasing ‘behind the scenes’ role in technological
advances which began to take off during this decade. In engineering and the
emerging computer industry, new ‘super polymers’ were beginning to replace
© Hamilton Trust 2011. This activity may be adapted for use by a teacher in his/her own class. It may not be reproduced for any other purpose.
LKS2 – MBr – S5 - Dress & Dance
metals. Among other things, the hygienic nature of plastics meant that their use
in medicine became increasingly important.
The 1980/90s
The explosion in global communications during the 80s and 90s has been made
largely possible through the use of plastics. Equipment such as computers, fibre
optic cables and telephones all use plastics widely in their design to provide
strength, light weight, insulation and flexibility. Plastics are now widely used in
packaging and play a key role in helping transport and maintain the freshness of
the products we buy from these outlets.
Plastics became so highly developed that they could not only imitate but in some
cases exceed the performance of the real thing! For example PVC, which looks
like leather, and solid surfaces which imitate granite or marble are now available.
© Hamilton Trust 2011. This activity may be adapted for use by a teacher in his/her own class. It may not be reproduced for any other purpose.
LKS2 – MBr – S5 - Dress & Dance