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This question is about materials used to make food plates - AQA - GCSE Chemistry - Question 5 - 2020 - Paper 2
Question 5
This question is about materials used to make food plates. Food plates are made from paper, polymers or ceramics. Table 2 shows information about plates of the same... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:This question is about materials used to make food plates - AQA - GCSE Chemistry - Question 5 - 2020 - Paper 2
Step 1
Suggest two pieces of information about energy usage which would help to produce a complete life cycle assessment (LCA) for the three food plate materials.
Answer
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Energy used in the extraction of raw materials: This includes the amount of energy consumed during the harvesting or gathering of wood for paper, the extraction of crude oil for polymers, and the mining of clay for ceramics.
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Energy used in the manufacturing processes: This refers to the energy required for converting raw materials into the final food plate products, including any processing and transportation involved.
Step 2
Evaluate the use of these materials for making food plates.
Answer
Evaluation of Materials for Making Food Plates
Raw Materials
The sustainability of raw materials is a crucial consideration. Wood, a renewable resource, is used in paper plates, while polymers rely on finite fossil fuels. Ceramics utilize extracted clay, which also poses sustainability concerns due to the mining process.
Manufacturing and Packaging
Paper plates generally use less packaging compared to polymers, minimizing resource use and transportation emissions. However, polymer plates can be produced in larger quantities, which may lead to lower per-unit carbon emissions during production.
Use and Operation
Paper plates are primarily designed for single use, which leads to higher waste generation. In contrast, ceramics can be used multiple times, reducing overall environmental impact. Polymer plates take longer to decompose, which may lead to landfill accumulation.
Disposal
Polymer and ceramic plates contribute to landfill overflow since they are not biodegradable, whereas paper plates are compostable. Additionally, recycling of paper and polymers can reclaim resources, whereas ceramics cannot be easily recycled.
Step 3
Describe how ceramic food plates are produced from clay.
Answer
- The process begins with extracting clay, which is then shaped into the desired plate form.
- Once shaped, the clay is dried to remove excess moisture, following which it enters the firing stage.
- The clay is heated in a kiln or furnace at a high temperature, typically ranging from 1100°C to 1300°C, allowing the clay particles to bond and harden.
- After the firing process, the plates may be glazed for aesthetic purposes and additional durability, completing the production process.