plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene are ubiquitous in our culture. as shown, the simple small…

plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene are ubiquitous in our culture. as shown, the simple small molecules combine to form long polymer chains. these polymer chains are held together by ______________ to make flexible, easily formable, and durable materials.\na ionic bonds\nb covalent bonds\nc intermolecular forces\nd attraction and repulsion

plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene are ubiquitous in our culture. as shown, the simple small molecules combine to form long polymer chains. these polymer chains are held together by ______________ to make flexible, easily formable, and durable materials.\na ionic bonds\nb covalent bonds\nc intermolecular forces\nd attraction and repulsion

Answer

Brief Explanations:

  • Ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons between atoms and are not relevant here as plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene are organic polymers.
  • Covalent bonds are within the polymer chains (between atoms in the monomer units), but the question is about what holds the polymer chains together.
  • Intermolecular forces (such as van der Waals forces) act between polymer chains. These forces allow the chains to slide over each other (making the material flexible), can be overcome to form the material (easily formable), and also provide some resistance to separation (durable).
  • Attraction and repulsion is a very general and not specific enough description for what holds polymer chains together in plastics like these.

Answer:

C. intermolecular forces