Give a common use of polyethene.

• A. Making glass bottles
• B. Making metal alloys
• C. Making paper
• D. Making plastic bags or bottles (LDPE/HDPE)

Answer: (D)

Polyethene is a polymer made from the simple molecule ethene, joined into long chains in a process called addition polymerization. These long chains give polyethylene a combination of lightness, toughness, and impermeability to moisture, which makes it ideal for everyday plastic items. A very common use is for plastic bags and bottles, with different grades serving different roles: LDPE (low-density) is flexible and used for thin film bags, while HDPE (high-density) is stronger and used for rigid bottles and containers. Glass bottles come from glass, metal alloys come from mixtures of metals, and paper comes from cellulose, so they aren’t polyethene.