Explore the chemistry behind polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging with this Grade 11 Chemistry worksheet. Students examine how PET forms from ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid, how its molecular structure influences material properties, and why scientific evidence and food-contact regulations matter when evaluating packaging applications.

🔬 From Molecular Structure to Material Properties

The reading passage introduces PET as an organic polymer made through condensation reactions that produce ester linkages and release water. Students examine its repeating-unit structure, including aromatic rings and ester groups, and connect these molecular features to rigidity, polymer-chain interactions, strength, transparency and shape retention.

Rather than treating packaging properties as isolated facts, the resource asks students to connect molecular structure with practical applications. It also reinforces an important distinction: properties that make PET useful for packaging do not automatically establish that every PET product is suitable for every food-contact condition.

📊 Scientific Investigation and Evidence Evaluation

Students apply experimental design and scientific measurement skills to compare PET samples. They consider how to investigate resistance to deformation under a controlled load and how to collect reliable measurements using SI units.

The worksheet also addresses instrument resolution, repeated trials, significant figures and measurement uncertainty. Students consider how scientific sources should be evaluated by examining their dates, methods and limitations. The distinction between chemical information from PubChem and the requirements established by food-contact regulations provides a practical context for evaluating scientific claims.

What Students Work Through

• A scientific reading passage introducing PET formation, molecular structure and packaging properties.
• Multiple-choice questions covering polymer formation, ester linkages, aromatic rings, experimental design and source evaluation.
• True-or-false statements that reinforce molecular structure, food-contact suitability and measurement practices.
• Short-answer responses requiring explanations of scientific evidence, controlled investigations and structure-property relationships.
• A labelled diagram activity and a categorisation activity.
• A short note section for recording key information during the lesson.

📁 What Is Included

• Printable student worksheet with Student Notes lines at the bottom.
• Separate Answer Key PDF for checking student responses.
• Teacher Guide within the Answer Key PDF, including Learning Objectives, Teaching Tips, Discussion Questions and Common Mistakes.

Classroom Use

Use this PET polymer chemistry worksheet during a Grade 11 lesson on carbon compounds and their applications. The reading passage provides context before students work through the questions, while the investigation and evidence-evaluation tasks give them opportunities to apply measurement principles to a familiar packaging material.

It can also support independent practice, classroom review or a discussion about how molecular structure influences the properties of materials used in everyday products. The separate answer key and teacher guidance provide additional support when reviewing responses and addressing common misunderstandings.

For teachers covering Chemistry 11 in British Columbia, this resource brings organic polymer structure, experimental measurement and evidence-based scientific communication together in one focused printable worksheet.