Polymers that can be softened by heating are called:

Polymers that can be softened by heating are called:

• A. Thermoplastics
• B. Nylon
• C. Polyvinyl Chloride
• D. Solder

Answer: (A)

Polymers that soften when heated belong to thermoplastics. They can be heated, reshaped, and then cooled to harden again, and this cycle can be repeated. This behavior comes from their largely uncrosslinked chain structure, which allows flow when heated but solidifies on cooling. In contrast, thermosetting polymers cure into a rigid network and do not soften with heat. Solder isn’t a polymer at all, while nylon and polyvinyl chloride are specific examples of thermoplastics, but the general term that describes the property is thermoplastics.

Polymers that soften when heated belong to thermoplastics. They can be heated, reshaped, and then cooled to harden again, and this cycle can be repeated. This behavior comes from their largely uncrosslinked chain structure, which allows flow when heated but solidifies on cooling. In contrast, thermosetting polymers cure into a rigid network and do not soften with heat. Solder isn’t a polymer at all, while nylon and polyvinyl chloride are specific examples of thermoplastics, but the general term that describes the property is thermoplastics.