The Chemistry of Convenience, December 2020

Name: ______________________________
Anticipation Guide
Directions: Before reading the article, in the first column, write “A” or “D,” indicating your Agreement or
Disagreement with each statement. Complete the activity in the box.
As you read, compare your opinions with information from the article. In the space under each statement, cite
information from the article that supports or refutes your original ideas.
Me Text Statement
A A 1. PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl) substances are synthetic.
“PFAS, or per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic substances…”

A D 2. All synthetic chemicals are harmful.

“synthetic chemicals are everywhere and many are harmless”

A A 3. PFAS contain oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and fluorine atoms.

“Some contain oxygen, others nitrogen or sulfur. But every single PFAS contains
carbon and fluorine atoms.”

A A 4. The covalent bond formed between carbon and fluorine is one of the strongest
single bonds in nature.
“the electron sharing covalent bond between carbon and fluorine happens to be
one of the strongest single bonds in nature”
D D 5. The covalent bond between carbon and fluorine is longer than other covalent
bonds.
“the bond gets stronger- and shorter”

A A 6. PFAS can cause health problems in several different human body systems.
“ We call PFAS multisystem toxicants, which means they can be toxic to multiple
systems in the body”

D A 7. A huge amount of data must be collected in lab experiments to make predictions

about how PFAS move in our bodies
“But it takes an enormous amount of data to do that”

D A 8. Filtering out PFAS molecules from water is fairly easy with common filtration
technology.
“its relatively easy to filter out larger PFAS molecules from water with common
filtration technology”
D D 9. An ordinary incinerator can destroy PFAS molecules.
“the C-F bond is so strong that an incinerator would need to reach 1000C to break
it”
A A 10. A few specific PFAS can no longer be manufactured in the U.S.
“The U.S started phasing out a few specific PFAS in the 2000s”
 The Chemistry of Convenience, December 2020

Graphic Organizer
Directions: As you read, complete the graphic organizer
Name: ______________________________
below to describe how the chemistry terms relate to the
chemistry of PFAS.

Chemistry Term Relate to the chemistry of PFAS

In relation to PFAS, the bonds formed within the chemical substance can have a
Hydrophilic hydrophilic end, which are attracted to water molecules but repels oil.

The bonds formed between the carbon and fluorine atoms, which all PFAS
contains, are considered covalent bonds. These bonds are formed due to the
Covalent bond difference in electronegativity between carbon and fluorine and causes the
substance to be stronger.
Within the carbon and fluorine bonds that makes up PFAS, the two elements
differ in nuclei charge or electronegativity. Ultimately, the difference in charges,
Electronegativity one being more positive than the other, strengthens the bond

Since the covalent bond formed between fluorine and carbon is really strong, the
bond energy required to break the bond is high. In order for an incinerator to
Bond energy break the bond, it would need to reach a temperature of 1000 C.

The sturdiness created by the carbon and fluorine bond, makes the PFAS inert
because they can’t react with the compounds of our bodies. The PFAS can resist
Inert and stay intact for years that they can travel to different parts of our bodies
without being changed.
Because there are many things to be learn about the potential consequences of
PFAS, scientist need to make predictions on how the chemicals affect our bodies.
Predictions With collected data, experts can make calculated equations to the turn into
predictions.
A common filtration method to separate PFAS from water molecules is reverse
osmosis. This technology allows water to cross a semi permeable membrane but
Reverse osmosis blocks and prevents the PFAS molecules from crossing.

Summary: Write a one-sentence summary (15 words or less) about the chemistry of PFAS.
The strong covalent bond formed in PFAS makes it hard to break down or destroy.

Student Reading
Comprehension Questions

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 The Chemistry of Convenience, December 2020

Directions: Use the article to answer the questions below.

1. Which two elements are present in every polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) compound?

Carbon and fluorine atoms

2. What are some primary uses of PFAS chemicals?

The primary uses for PFAS are used to make clothes water resistant and repellent as well as to prevent
sticking in cookware.

3. Why do PFAS compounds remain for a long time in the environment? What specific types of bonds cause
PFAS compounds to be known as “forever chemicals”?
The PFAS compounds remain a long time due to the covalent bond formed between the carbon and
fluorine atoms. The covalent bond is short and therefore stronger to destroy.

4. PFAS chemicals are considered to be inert and thus do not react with other chemicals in the body. The
effects of PFAS chemicals accumulating in the body are not yet fully understood, but what are some
potential health risks associated with PFAS chemicals in the body mentioned in the article?
According to the article some health risks are kidney and testicular cancer, liver damage, asthma and
pregnancy complications.

5. What are some ways scientists are having success removing PFAS chemicals from the environment?
Through some filtration technology such as reverse osmosis and activated carbon they can remove PFAS
chemicals.

6. PFAS durability, inertness, and water/oil repelling properties have made the compounds extremely popular.
Examine the structure of C7H15COOH on page 6 of the article. What characteristics of the structure make
C7H15COOH an excellent choice for outerwear clothing?
The structure of this compound shows a hydrophobic end that repels water which can be excellent for
outwear clothing. The compound is also non polar which is good for getting rid of oils.

7. Examine the electronegativity trends on the periodic table on page 6 of the article. Electronegativity tends to
decrease as you move down columns on the table and increases as you move across a row. Explain the
trends in electronegativity based on your knowledge of periodic trends and the atom.
In the periodic table, when you move down from one column to the one below, the electronegativity
decreases and therefore if you move up, the electronegative increases. Also, as you move from left to
right in the table, the electronegativity increases. In relation to atoms, as you add more energy levels the
electronegativity decreases.

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 The Chemistry of Convenience, December 2020

8. The table on page 7 of the article indicates the bond energy of various binary chemical bonds. The article
explains how an increased electronegativity difference results in an electrostatic attraction and a shorter,
stronger covalent bond. Why do you suppose the F-F bond energy is significantly lower than the O-O bond
energy even though fluorine is smaller than oxygen and can form a shorter bond? (Note: since these bonds
are diatomic, the electronegativity difference in each bond is zero.)
Because the F-F bonds are single bond in comparison to the double bonds in oxygen, the double bond is
shorter with a high bond energy.

Student Reading Comprehension Questions, cont.

Questions for Further Learning

Write your answers on another piece of paper if needed.

1. Regulations have been put into place that have helped limit the accumulation of PFAS in the environment.
The best method of preventing PFAS compounds from entering the environment is to avoid, if possible,
using materials that contain “forever chemicals.” Identify 3 items that you use daily that contain PFAS
compounds and attempt to find PFAS free alternatives to these items.

1. Cookware that is Teflon free

2. Getting rid of PFAs dental floss
3. PTFE waterproof jackets

2. Create a public service announcement script about the dangers of PFAS compounds accumulating in the
environment in hopes convincing individuals to limit their exposure and use of PFAS compounds. Inform the
public about PFAS compounds and their uses, the dangers of PFAS compounds, and how limit exposure/use
of PFAS compounds.

With the introduction of the PFAS compounds to our daily lives, improved essentials such as waterproof gear
and nonstick cook wear have also come along. However, the consequences that come with PFAS compounds
cannot be justified by their advantages. Due to the strong covalent bonds formed in these chemicals, they can
travel our bodies without suffering any changes. Some risks that come with the use of this substance can be
correlated to pregnancy problems and even testicular cancer. Fortunately, in many occasions, alternatives can
help you prevent from health risks and still have the same functions.

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The Chemistry of Convenience, December 2020

Name: ______________________________

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 The Chemistry of Convenience, December 2020

Graphic Organizer Rubric

Score Description Evidence

4 Excellent Complete; details provided; demonstrates deep understanding.
3 Good Complete; few details provided; demonstrates some understanding.
2 Fair Incomplete; few details provided; some misconceptions evident.
1 Poor Very incomplete; no details provided; many misconceptions evident.
0 Not acceptable So incomplete that no judgment can be made about student understanding