SCIENCE

Chapter 3: Cell – Synthetic Fibres and Plastics

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Synthetic Fibres and Plastics

Introduction

 The clothes which we wear are made of fabrics.

 Fabrics are made of fibres obtained from natural or artificial sources.
 The fibres obtained from plants and animals are called natural fibres. Cotton, jute, wool and
silk are natural fibres.
 The synthetic fibres are made by human beings. Rayon, nylon, polyester are synthetic fibres.

Synthetic Fibres

 A synthetic fibre is a long chain of small units joined together, and each small unit is
actually a chemical substance.
 A polymer is a very big molecule formed by the combination of a large number of small
molecules.
 The word polymer comes from two Greek words poly meaning many and mer meaning units.
 The small molecules which join to form a polymer are called monomers.

Types of Synthetic Fibres

Rayon

 Rayon is often regarded as artificial silk.

 It is a man-made fibre prepared from a natural raw material called cellulose by chemical
treatment.
 The cellulose required for making rayon is obtained from wood pulp.
 So, rayon is obtained by the chemical treatment of wood pulp.

Uses:

 In the textile industry for making sarees and dresses

 To make carpets
 In the medical field for making bandages and surgical dressings
 In making bedsheets, curtains and blankets

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Nylon

Nylon is the first fully synthetic fibre made by man without using any natural raw materials.

Properties:

 It is very strong, elastic, lightweight and lustrous.

 They absorb very little water, so clothes made of nylon are easy to wash and dry.
 It is wrinkle resistant.

Uses:

 In making socks, tents, toothbrushes, car seat belts and curtains

 For making parachute
 In making ropes for rock climbing.

Polyester

 Polyester is a synthetic fibre.

 Polyester (poly + ester) is made of repeating units of a chemical called an ester.
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 Terylene is a popular polyester fibre.

 Polyester fabric is strong and wrinkle resistant.
 It is easy to wash and dry.
 Natural fibres (like cotton and wool) are also mixed with polyester to make blended fabrics
like polycot or polywool. As the name suggests, these fabrics are made by blending two
types of fibres.
Example: Polycot is a mixture of polyester and cotton. Similarly, polywool is a mixture of
polyester and wool.

Uses:

 In making fabrics for sarees, dress materials and curtains

 For making PET bottles, utensils, films, wires and other useful PET products

Acrylic

Because of its wool-like feel, acrylic fibre is often used as a substitute for wool.
Properties:
 It is lightweight, soft and warm with a wool-like feel.
 It retains its shape and resists shrinkage and wrinkles.
 It is strong and durable.

Uses:
It is used for making sweaters, shawls, blankets, jackets, sportswear, socks, furnishing fabrics
and carpets.

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Characteristics of Synthetic Fibres

 Synthetic fibres are very strong and more durable.

 They absorb very little water and dry up quickly.
 They are wrinkle resistant and quite lightweight.
 They are less expensive and readily available.
 Clothes made of synthetic fibres are easy to maintain.

Disadvantages of Synthetic fibers

 Synthetic fibers cannot absorb moisture. This makes them unsuitable to be worn during summers
when our body sweats.

 It is dangerous to wear them while near fire, as they catch fire easily.

 They cannot be easily ironed as they melt very easily.

Plastics

 Plastics are also polymers.

 It is a synthetic material which can be moulded into desired shape when soft and then
hardened to produce a durable article.
 Plastics also consist of very long molecules made by joining many small molecules.
 Polythene (poly + ethene = polyethene) is an example of a plastic. It is obtained by
polymerisation of a chemical compound known as ethene.

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 Plastic does not have the same type of arrangement. Sometimes, it is linear, whereas in
others, it is cross-linked.

Linear (Thermoplastics) Cross-linked (Thermosetting

plastics)

Plastics are of two types:

i. Thermoplastics

 A plastic which can be softened repeatedly by heating and can be moulded into
different shapes again and again is called a thermoplastic.
 Polythene and PVC are examples of thermoplastics.
 Uses: In manufacturing toys, combs, various types of containers

ii. Thermosetting plastics

 A plastic which when set does not become soft on heating again and cannot be
moulded a second time is called a thermosetting plastic.
 Bakelite and melamine are examples of thermosetting plastics.
 Bakelite is a poor conductor of heat and electricity. So, it is used for making
electrical switches and handles of various utensils.

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Properties of Plastics

 Plastics are chemically unreactive. They do not react with air and water. As a result, plastics
are resistant to corrosion.
 As they can be easily moulded, they are used to make a large variety of articles with
different shapes and sizes.
 Plastics do not conduct heat and electricity. So, they are used as electrical insulators.
 Because they have low density, they are lighter than metals. They also have good strength
and are durable. Being lighter than metals, plastics are also used in cars, aircraft and
spacecraft.
 Plastics are generally cheaper and can be made more easily than metals. So, they are
widely used for making many household and industrial articles.

Plastics and Environment

 Articles made of plastics are non-biodegradable. This causes a great problem in the disposal
of plastic wastes.
 The burning of plastic wastes gives out harmful gases in the atmosphere, causing air pollution.
Problems with excessive use of plastics
Plastics are non- biodegradable and do not decompose for several years. When plastics are burnt,
toxic fumes are released into the atmosphere causing pollution.

How to Save the Environment?

 Avoid the use of plastics as far as possible and use bags made of cotton or jute.
 Biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes should be collected and disposed separately.
 Most of the thermoplastic wastes can be recycled.
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 As a responsible citizen, remember the 4R principle—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover.

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Important Questions
Multiple Choice Questions-
Question 1. Cellulose is made up of a large number of ………………… units.
(a) glucose
(b) fructose
(c) protein
(d) none of these
Question 2. Synthetic fibres are:
(a) strong
(b) durable
(c) hining
(d) all of these
Question 3. Which of the following is not thermoplastics:
(a) acrylic
(b) polyethylene
(c) polystyrene
(d) melamine
Question 4. Wire made from which fibre is strongest:
(a) nylon
(b) cotton
(c) wool
(d) steel
Question 5. PET is form of:
(a) steel
(b) glass
(c) polyester
(d) nylon

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Question 6. Which of the following is used to make non-stick cookwares:

(a) polyester
(b) teflon
(c) rayon
(d) nylon
Question 7. Which of the following is used for making parachutes and stockings:
(a) polyester
(b) teflon
(c) rayon
(d) nylon
Question 8. Fabrics made of …………………. do not wrinkle easily.
(a) polyester
(b) teflon
(c) rayon
(d) nylon
Question 9. Wood pulp is used for preparation of:
(a) polyester
(b) teflon
(c) rayon
(d) nylon
Question 10. Which of the following softens on heating and then can be moulded into various
shapes:
(a) thermosetting plastic
(b) thermoplastic
(c) polythene
(d) none of these
Question 11. Which of the following once set do not soften on heating:
(a) thermoplastic
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(b) thermosetting plastic

(c) polythene
(d) none of these
Question 12. Food hems are stored ¡n plastic containers because they are:
(a) corrosive
(b) non-corrosive
(c) easy to handle
(d) all of these
Question 13. Bristles of tooth brush are made from:
(a) thermoplastic
(b) therniosetting plastic
(c) nylon
(d) PET
Question 14. Which of the following can be recycled:
(a) carry bags
(b) plastic chairs
(c) telephone instruments
(d) cooker handles
Question 15. Which of the following cannot be recycled:
(a) plastic toys
(b) plastic bowls
(c) plastic covering on electric wires
(d) ball point pens
Question 16. The fibre that burns readily with smell of burning paper is:
(a) acrylic
(b) polyester
(c) cotton
(d) rayon.
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Question 17. Which of the following is a thermosetting plastic:

(a) PVC
(b) nylon
(c) teflon
(d) bakelite
Question 18. Which of the following is obtained from hair of an animal:
(a) nylon
(b) silk
(c) cotton
(d) wool
Question 19. Which of these fibres is made from raw material obtained from plants:
(a) rayon
(b) nylon
(c) terylene
(d) polyester
Question 20. Which of the following fibre is synthetic:
(a) cotton
(b) jute
(c) nylon
(d) silk
Question 21. Which of the following fibre is natural polymer:
(a) rayon
(b) cotton
(c) polyester
(d) polythene
Question 22. Which of the following is not biodegradable:
(a) aluminium foil
(b) papers
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(c) cow-dung
(d) rotten fruits
Question 23. Rayon is:
(a) artificial
(b) nylon
(c) artificial nylon
(d) none of these
Question 24. Polymer present in plants is:
(a) cellulose
(b) nylon
(c) rubber
(d) P.V.C.
Question 25. Natural substance is:
(a) plastics
(b) cement
(c) glass
(d) wood
Question 26. Polymer present in wood is:
(a) nylon
(b) cellulose
(c) polythene
(d) rubber
Question 27. Which of the following garbage is biodegradable:
(a) broken plastics things
(b) fruit peels
(c) cement
(d) iron wastes
Question 28. Polycot is a mixture of:
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(a) polythene and cotton

(b) polyester and cotton
(c) polythene and wool
(d) polyester and wool
Question 29. Polywool is a mixture of:
(a) polythene and cotton
(b) polyester and cotton
(c) polythene and wool
(d) polyester and wool
Question 30. A synthetic fibre resembling wool is:
(a) rayon
(b) nylon
(c) acrylic
(d) none of these

Very Short :
1. What are clothes made up of?
2. What are fabrics made up of?
3. How many types of sources of fibre are there?
4. What are natural fibres?
5. Give two examples of natural fibres.
6. What are synthetic fibres?
7. Name two man-made fibres.
8. What are polymers?
9. What is the word meaning of polymer?
10. Name a natural polymer.
11. What are the units of cellulose?
12. Name the fibre having properties similar to that of silk.
13. What is the common name of rayon?
14. How is rayon obtained?
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15. Name a man-made fibre which is made without using natural raw materials.
Short Questions :
1. Differentiate between natural and artificial fibres.
2. Define polymer and give example of a polymer occurring in nature
3. What are the advantages of artificial silk over natural silk?
4. Explain the first ''fully synthetic fibre''.
5. Why nylon fibre became popular for making clothes?
6. Why nylon is used for making parachutes and ropes for rock climbing?
7. State the unique characteristic of polyester fabric and is applications
8. Name two polyester fabrics and their uses.
9. Name and explain a fibre which appears to resemble wool.
10. State the behaviour of natural fibre and synthetic fibre on burning.
Long Questions :
Question 1. Describe about nylon. Write its uses and properties.
Question 2. Write the advantages of synthetic fibres.
Question 3. List the common varieties of polyester. Also mention the natural fibres which
are used for blending to enhance their properties.
Question 4. Explain the properties of plastics.
Question 5. ‘Plastics are hazard to environment’. Explain this statement.
Question 6. List the strategies for plastic waste management.

ANSWER
1. Answer
(a) glucose
Cellulose is made up of a large number of glucose units.
2. Answer
(d) all of these
Synthetic fibres are strong, durable and shining
3. Answer
(d) melamine

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Melamine is not thermoplastics, it is thermosetting plastic. Acrylic, polyethylene and

polystyrene are thermoplastic.
4. Answer
(a) nylon
Wire made from nylon fibre is the strongest.
5. Answer
(c) polyester
PET is a form of polyester.
6. Answer
(b) teflon
Teflon is used to make non-stick cookwares.
7. Answer
(d) nylon
Nylon is used for making parachutes and stockings.
8. Answer
(d) nylon
Fabrics made of polyester do not wrinkle easily.
9. Answer
(c) rayon
Wood pulp is used for preparation of Rayon.
10.Answer
(b) thermoplastic
Thermoplastic softens on heating and then can be moulded into various shapes.
11.Answer
(b) thermosetting plastic
Thermosetting plastic once set do not soften on heating.
12.Answer
(b) non-corrosive
Food items are stored in plastic containers because they are non-corrosive.
13.Answer
(c) nylon
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Bristles of tooth brush are made from nylon because it is soft, flexible and strong.
14.Answer
(c) telephone instruments
Telephone instruments can be recycled as it is made up of thermoplastics.
15.Answer
(c) plastic covering on electric wires
Plastic covering on electric wire cannot by recycled as it is made up of theremosetting
plastics.
16.Answer
(c) cotton
Cotton fibre burns readily with smell of burning paper.
17.Answer
(d) bakelite
Bakelite is a thermosetting plastic.
18.Answer
(d) wool
Wool is obtained from hair of an animal (sheep).
19.Answer
(a) rayon
Rayon is made from cellulose obtained from wood pulp (plants).
20.Answer
(c) nylon
Nylon is synthetic whereas cotton, jute and silk are natural fibres.
21.Answer
(b)cotton
Cotton is natural polymer whereas rayon, polyester and polythene are synthetic
polymers.
22.Answer
(a) artificial
Rayon is artificial silk
23.Answer

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(a) cellulose
Polymer present in plants is cellulose.
24.Answer
(d) wood
Wood is a natural substance where as plastics, cement and glass are man-made
substances.
25.Answer
(b) cellulose
Cellulose polymer is present in wood
26.Answer
(b) fruit peels
Fruit peels are biodegradable.
27.Answer
(b) polyester and cotton
Polycot is a mixture of polyester and cotton.
28.Answer
(d) polyester and wool
Polywool is a mixture of polyester and wool.
29.Answer
(c) acrylic
A synthetic fibre resembling wool is acrylic.
Very Short-
1. Answer: The clothes we wear are made of fabrics.
2. Answer: The fabrics are made of fibres.
3. Answer: There are two types of sources of fibres:
(i) Natural sources
(ii) Artificial sources.
4. Answer: The fibres obtained from plants or animals are called natural fibres.
5. Answer: (i) Cotton (ii) Jute.
6. Answer: The fibres made by human beings are called synthetic or man-made fibres.
7. Answer: (i) Nylon (ii) Rayon.
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8. Answer: When a large number of small units combine to form a single large unit, then the
large unit is called polymer.
9. Answer: Polymer consists of two words, poly and mer. Poly means many and mer means
repeating units.
10.Answer: Cellulose.
11.Answer: Cellulose is made up of a large number of glucose units.
12.Answer: Rayon.
13.Answer: Rayon is known as artificial silk.
14.Answer: Rayon is obtained by chemical treatment of wood pulp.
15.Answer: Nylon.
Short Answer-
1. Answer:
Natural Fibres Synthetic Fibres
Comes from nature Man-made fibres
Natural colour Colour as per requirement is
added in colour bath
During spinning process During spinning process
spinneret is not spinneret is necessary for the
necessary production of filament
Chances of containing No chance of any dust or
dust or impurities impurities
Less durable than More durable than natural
synthetic
2. Answer: Synthetic fibres and plastics are made up of very large units called polymers, and
polymers are made up of many smaller units. For example cotton is a polymer made up of
cellulose and cellulose is made from large number of glucose units.
3. Answer: Advantages of artificial silk over natural silk are:
 Artificial silk or rayon is cheaper than silk,
 It can be dyed in a variety of colours
 It can be used to make bed sheets on mixing with cotton, and on mixing with wool can
be used to make carpets.
4. Answer: The first fully synthetic fibre was nylon. It was prepared from coal, water and air. It
is very strong, elastic and light, very easy to wash and is used for making variety of things
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like socks, ropes, bags, curtains, parachutes etc.

5. Answer: The first fully synthetic fibre was nylon. It was prepared from coal, water and air. It
is very strong, elastic and light, it is very easy to wash and used for making variety of things
like socks, ropes, bags, curtains, parachutes etc.
6. Answer: Nylon thread is very strong infact it is stronger than steel wire, because of this
property of nylon it is used for making parachutes and ropes for rock climbing.
7. Answer: Polyester fabrics do not get wrinkled easily and it remains crisp and can be
washed easily than any other fabrics. Thus it is used to make dress, shirts etc. PET is one of
the familiar form of polyester that is used to make bottles, utensils, wires and many other
things
8. Answer: Terylene and PET are two widely used polyester fabrics. Terylene is used to make
very fine yarn by which various dress materials are made. PET is one of the familiar form of
polyester that is used to make bottles, utensils, wires and many other things
9. Answer: Acrylic fabric resembles wool, it is cheaper than wool and available is variety of
colours. It is also more durable than wools.
10.Answer: On burning a natural fibre while on burning a synthetic fibre the fabric melts
rapidly and in case of synthetic clothes it sticks to the body of person wearing it and cause
severe burn to that person, it is totally disastrous.
Long Answer-
1. Answer:
Nylon is the strongest amongst all the synthetic fibres. It is fully synthetic polymer which is
prepared from coal, water and air. It is a polymer of amides. It was made in 1931 for the first
time. It was used as a supplement of silk when silk got deficient during World War II for many
military applications.
Uses of Nylon
 Nylon is used in toothbrushes, combs, etc.
 It is used to make parachutes, tents, ropes, etc.
 It is used to make socks and stockings as it is elastic.
 It is widely used for making clothes, carpets, etc.
Properties of Nylon
 It melts on heating.
 It absorbs less water.
 It is resistant to moths and fungi.
 It has high tensile strength.
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 It is durable.
2. Answer:
Synthetic fibres has many advantages as compared to natural fibres.
Some of them are as follows:
 They are very strong and durable.
 They are cheaper in cost as compared to natural fibres.
 They absorb less water and are quick to dry.
 They do not shrink.
 They are very useful for saving our trees and animals as they are made up of chemicals.
 They are moth and insect resistant.
3. Answer
Polyester could be blended with natural fibres to enhance its properties.
The common varieties of polyester are:
 PET (Polyethylene terephthalate)
 Terrycot: It is made by blending polyester and cotton.
 Terrysilk: It is made by blending polyester said silk.
 Terrywool: It is made by blending polyester and wool.
4. Answer:
Plastics are those substances which are mostly synthetic in nature.
Following are the properties of plastics:
 Plastics are non-corrosive in nature, i.e., they do not react easily with air and water.
They are unaffected by most of the chemicals in normal conditions.
 Plastics are the bad conductor of heat. They do not get heated up like metals.
 Plastics are non-biodegradable, i.e., they do not get decomposed by microorganisms.
 Plastics are very durable.
5. Answer:
Yes, plastics are hazard to environment. They make versatile materials but are very dangerous
to the environment. Plastics are non-biodegradable in nature. It takes more than 100 years to
decompose. If use of plastics are not reduced, our earth would turn into a big garbage bin.
The major problems due to plastics are:
 If plastics are burnt, they evolve poisonous gases. These gases destroys the ozone layer
of the earth and also pollute the environment.
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 If the plastics are disposed in drains, they choke the drains causing waterlogging.
 If these plastics are swallowed by the innocent animals along with their food, they harm
their di-gestive system which leads to their death.
 They are manufactured by the consumption of a large amount of petroleum.
6. Answer:
Some of the strategies for plastic waste management are:
 We should use paper bags and jute bags instead of using plastic bags.
 The government should ban the use of plastic bags.
 Plastics should be recycled to make other useful products which do not harm the
environment.
 We should use a special garbage bins to dispose plastic wastes.
 We should not throw plastic wastes in water bodies.
 Practicing 4R’s principle, i.e., Reuse, Recycle, Reduce and Recover should be
encouraged.

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