New
New
Lesson 4 of 8
  • Year 8

Polymers properties, sources and stock forms

I can identify polymer categories, sources and stock forms.

Lesson 4 of 8
New
New
  • Year 8

Polymers properties, sources and stock forms

I can identify polymer categories, sources and stock forms.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Polymers are long chains of monomers, classified as natural or synthetic and grouped as thermoforming or thermosetting.
  2. Most polymers are made from petrochemicals, which are synthetic.
  3. Polymers are lightweight, durable, flexible, water-resistant, and good insulators.
  4. Polymers are supplied as granules, sheets, rods, or pipes and have many uses.

Keywords

  • Polymer - a material made of long chains of repeating units called monomers

  • Properties - characteristics that determine how materials behave

  • Stock form - the basic shape or size a material is supplied in

Common misconception

Polymers can all be recycled and are therefore environmentally ok.

Polymers are usually made from non renewable resources and even if recycled, are not sustainable.


To help you plan your year 8 design and technology lesson on: Polymers properties, sources and stock forms, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

This lesson is a great opportunity to teach about the materials and processes avaiable in your setting, linked to design decisions.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Handling a collection of polymer products, such as washing up bowls, washing up liquid bottles, handles, toys, remote controls etc.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is empathy?

ability to give advice to others based on your own experiences
ability to solve problems without needing help
ability to ignore emotions and focus only on facts
Correct answer: ability to understand the feelings, thoughts, or experiences of another person

Q2.
Designing products that as many people as possible can use is known as design?

Correct Answer: inclusive

Q3.
Anthropometrics are important to ensure that products are comfortable and ...

visually appealing.
affordable to make.
Correct answer: easy to use.
durable over time.

Q4.
Why is it important to analyse existing products?

to copy them exactly without making changes
to increase the cost of manufacturing
Correct answer: to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement
to avoid creating similar products in the future

Q5.
What does ergonomics focus on?

making products look more expensive
Correct answer: designing products that are comfortable, efficient, and easy to use
creating products using only natural materials
reducing the number of parts in a product

Q6.
Which of the following is an ergonomic feature of a toothbrush?

Correct answer: comfortable grip
packaging material
cost

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the definition of a polymer?

characteristics that determine how materials behave
Correct answer: a material made of long chains of repeating units called monomers
the basic shape or size a material is supplied in

Q2.
There are two categories of polymer, synthetic and ...

artificial
sustainable
organic
Correct answer: natural

Q3.
Once manufactured, polymers can be categorised into two groups: thermosetting and .

Correct Answer: thermoforming

Q4.
Why are polymers usually not sustainable?

because they require too much water to produce
because they are always biodegradable and break down too quickly
Correct answer: because they are made from non-renewable resources
because they cannot be coloured or shaped easily

Q5.
What are the properties of a material?

Correct answer: characteristics that determine how the material behaves
the history and origin of the material
the price and brand of the material

Q6.
Identify the correct definition of stock form.

Correct answer: the basic shape or size of a material before it’s processed into a final product
the final appearance and color of a finished product
the method used to assemble parts into a product
the packaging materials used to protect a product during shipping