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With reference to polyethylene terephthalate, the use of which is so widespread in our daily lives, consider the following statements:

  1. Its fibers can be blended with wool and cotton fibers to reinforce their properties.
  2. Containers made of it can be used to store any alcoholic beverage.
  3. Bottles made of it can be recycled into other products.
  4. Articles made of it can be easily disposed of by incineration without causing greenhouse gas emissions.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
  1. 1 and 3
  2. 2 and 4
  3. 1 and 4
  4. 2 and 3

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct
  • Polyethylene terephthalate is commonly used in textiles and can be blended with natural fibers such as wool and cotton. This blending process enhances the properties of the fabrics, such as durability, strength, and resistance to wrinkles and shrinkage.
Statement 2 is incorrect
  • PET containers are widely used for packaging non-alcoholic beverages, such as water and soft drinks. However, they are not suitable for alcoholic beverages, particularly those with higher alcohol content.
  • Alcohol can interact with PET, leading to potential degradation of the container and affecting the quality and safety of the beverage. For alcoholic beverages, glass or certain types of plastic designed specifically for alcohol are preferred.
Statement 3 is correct
  • One of the significant advantages of PET is its recyclability. PET bottles can be collected, cleaned, and processed into new products. Recycled PET can be turned into a variety of items, including new bottles, clothing fibers (such as fleece jackets), carpets, and other consumer goods.
Statement 4 is incorrect
  • While PET can be incinerated, this process does generate greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide.
  • Incineration of PET, like other plastics, releases carbon dioxide and potentially other pollutants, which can contribute to climate change. Recycling PET helps to minimize the need for incineration and reduces the overall environmental footprint of PET products.

Chart illustrating seven types of plastic, each labeled with a recycling number, abbreviation, and full chemical name, color-coded with distinct backgrounds. It categorizes plastics by safety and usage, highlighting safe types like HDPE and PP with green check marks, hazardous types like PVC and LDPE with red crosses, and most dangerous types like "Other" with a skull symbol, alongside common product examples for each type.

Additional Information

  • PET (also abbreviated PETE) is short for polyethylene terephthalate, the chemical name for polyester.
  • PET is a clear, strong, and lightweight plastic that is widely used for packaging foods and beverages.
  • The basic building blocks of PET are ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid, which are combined to form a polymer chain. The resulting spaghetti-like strands of PET are extruded, quickly cooled, and cut into small pellets. The resin pellets are then heated to a molten liquid that can be easily extruded or molded into items of practically any shape.

PMFIAS Concept Hack

  • Statement 2 can be eliminated because the word “any” is too broad—PET containers cannot safely store all types of alcoholic beverages, as it depends on chemical compatibility. Statement 4 can also be eliminated because burning plastic releases greenhouse gases, so it cannot be said that there are no emissions. Thus, Statements 1 and 3 are correct → Answer: (a)
Answer: (a) 1 and 3; Difficulty Level: Medium
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