Plastic

materials · chemistry · everyday objects

Made from oil and gas. Most plastics start as crude oil pumped from deep underground, which is heated and broken down into simple building blocks called monomers that link together to form long chains called polymers.

Incredibly bendable and shapeable. The word plastic comes from a Greek word meaning to mold or shape, and that's exactly what makes it special. Plastic can be stretched, bent, melted, and formed into almost any shape you can imagine.

Light and super strong. Plastic weighs way less than metal or glass but can be just as tough and durable, which is why it's perfect for everything from water bottles to phone cases to airplane parts.

New plastics from nature. Scientists are now making plastics from renewable resources like corn and sugar cane instead of just using oil, which helps reduce damage to the environment.

Used everywhere on Earth. Because plastic is cheap to make, lightweight, and doesn't break easily, you'll find it in almost every product around you, from clothing to toys to medical equipment.