Which of the following best describes the properties of polythene?

• A. Tough and durable
• B. Brittle and weak
• C. Soft and volatile
• D. Transparent and brittle

Answer: (A)

Polythene is a polymer, so its properties come from its long chains and how those chains interact. The long, tangled polymer chains can deform and absorb energy under stress rather than snapping, which gives the material toughness. That ability to resist breaking and to endure wear makes polythene both tough and durable, which is why it’s used for items like bags and bottles. It isn’t volatile because large polymer molecules don’t evaporate at ordinary temperatures, and under normal conditions polythene isn’t brittle. Some polymers can be brittle in cold conditions, but polythene generally remains flexible and strong. While it can be made to be transparent, brittleness is not a defining feature of polythene. So the description that best fits polythene is that it is tough and durable.