DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL

SUBJECT – SCIENCE (CHEMISTRY)

CLASS – 8
SYNTHETIC FIBRES AND MATERIALS

Polymer:- Substances which are made by small units of chemical substances joined together are called
polymers.

Monomer:- Each small repeating unit in a polymer is called monomer.

Polymerization:- The process of linking monomers to form polymers is called polymerization.

Fibres are of three types. They are:-

Natural fibres
Synthetic fibres
Semisynthetic fibres

Natural fibres:- Fibres obtained from vegetable and animal sources are called natural fibres.

Example:-

cotton, jute (vegetable fibres obtained from natural sources).

wool, silk (animal fibres obtained from animal sources).

Synthetic fibres:- Fibres which are artificially prepared are called synthetic fibres.

Example: – Nylon, polyester etc.

Semisynthetic fibres:- Fibres which are partially synthetic as natural fibres are used as the starting
materials to manufacture them.

Example:- Rayon.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF SYNTHETIC FIBRES

Rayon- Rayon is synthesized from wood pulp (a natural source) and then processed chemically in
laboratory to obtain the final product, it is called a regenerated fibre or processed fibre .

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Rayon resembles silk, so it is also known as artificial silk.

Rayon can be dyed in different colours and is much cheaper than silk.

Nylon- Nylon was first commercially synthesized fibre.

Nylon is synthesized from coal, water and air.

Nylon is very strong and used in making ropes, tents, curtains etc.

Polyester- Polyester, one of the most popular man-made fibres.

It is made of repeating unit of a chemical called ester. It is widely used to make clothes.
Acrylic- Acrylic is a man-made fibre. Acrylic is known as artificial wool or synthetic wool because
it resembles wool.

Acrylic is cheaper than natural wool and can be dyed in various colours. This makes acrylic very popular.

Questions:

1. Cotton is a natural polymer. What is its chemical name?

2. Distinguish between natural and synthetic fibres in tabular form (two points).

3. Why is “rayon” referred as semi-synthetic fibre?

4. List some characteristics and uses of different types of synthetic fibres in tabular form.

5. Rohit took with him some nylon ropes, when he was going for rock climbing. Suggest at least two
reasons for selecting nylon ropes instead of ropes made from cotton or jute.

6. Choose the correct option:

(i) The purest natural form of cellulose is :- a. rayon b. cotton c. wool d. silk

(ii) Rayon clothes are comfortable to wear in:- a. winters b. rainy season

c. both a & b d. summers

(iii) Rayon is made from :- a. wood pulp b. bark of the tree c. dry leaves d. petroleum
products

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 CHARACTERISTICS OF SYNTHETIC FIBRES

Synthetic fibres are cheaper than natural fibres.

They are stronger (higher tensile strength) than natural fibres.
They are more durable than natural fibres.
They get dried up in less time.
It is easy to maintain and wash them.
They can be stretched to large extents.
They can catch fire very easily.
They are generally hydrophobic i.e. repel water.

Questions:

1. Why do synthetic fibres dry up in less time?

2. Why should one never wear polyester clothes while working in kitchen?

3. Write any three important properties of synthetic fibres .

DISADVANTAGES OF SYNTHETIC FIBRES

Synthetic fibres melt before burning. So clothes made from such fibres stick to skin when in contact
with flame.

Since synthetic fibres are generally hydrophobic, garments made by them are not comfortable to
wear in summer.
These fibres accumulate electrical charge and cling to the skin ,hence uncomfortable to wear.

Question:

Synthetic fibres have both advantages and disadvantages.While choosing them we also take care of the
weather conditions. Justify with an instance.

[ Example .. during summer …hydrophobic nature of synthetic fibres donot allow air circulation,where as
cotton fibres have water absorbing property,so are preferred …on the other hand in rainy season…clothes
made from synthetic fibres preferred as they dry up fast…]

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 CLASSIFICATION OF SYNTHETICPLANT
FIBRE
SYNTHETIC

FIBRES

NYLO

POLYESTE
NATURAL REGENERATED

ACRYLIC
RUBBE

R
ANIMAL
LK

WOOL
O IR

O
N
RA Y O N

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 JUT
COTTON
 PLASTICS

Plastic are also polymers. On the basis of the type of linkage of monomers it is of two types which can be
depicted by the following diagram:-

Plastic is a polymer obtained by polymerization of monomers that moulded into various shapes.
Plastics are used in making toys, suitcase, bags, cabinets, brush, chairs, tables, and many other countless
items.
Polythene (monomer – ethylene) is one commonly used plastic, which is used in manufacturing
carry bags.
TYPES OF PLASTICS

1. Thermoplastic: Plastics which can be easily bent or deformed on heating are known as
thermoplastic.
Example:- PVC, polythene etc.
2. Thermosetting plastic: Plastics which do not get deformed or softened on heating when moulded
once, are called thermosetting plastics.
Examples:- Bakelite, melamine etc.

CHARACTERISTICS’ OF PLASTICS

Plastic is a poor conductor of heat and electricity.

Plastic does not react with air and water and with many of the chemicals.
Plastics are light weight, durable, cheap and very strong.
Plastics are non- biodegradable substances. They take many years to get decomposed
and sometimes do not get decomposed at all. Thus plastics are not environment friendly.
Plastics do not corrode.

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 We should always develop environment friendly habits. It is always better to recycle plastic waste by

4R principle. RECOVER REDUCE

4 REUSE
RECYCLE

REDUCE: We must reduce the use of resources as much as possible and save for future generations.

REUSE: Resources can be reused whenever possible. We need not produce resources on large scale
which may lead to exploitation of natural resources. Instead we can reuse them.

RECYCLE: Resources should be recycled for their reuse.

RECOVER: We should restore resources into original state , whenever possible.

QUESTIONS:
1. Plastic containers are very suitable to store chemicals. List at least two properties of plastics which
make them suitable.
2. Mention most important problem linked with disposal of plastic materials.

Answer the following questions:-

1. Why is it advised to wear cotton and not synthetic clothes while bursting crackers?
[HINT: Catch fire easily.. melt before burning ..hence if accidentally catch fire…]

2. A large amount of plastic reaches oceans. In what way does it affect the aquatic life? Explain.
[HINT: Marine plastic has effected over 267 species world wide.Microplastics-tiny pieces of

plastic which come from larger plastics that have degraded over time… as a result of ingestion, starvation,
suffocation, infection, drowning and entanglement…..seals, whales, dolphins ,sea birds ,fish, crabs are
dying…]

3. Write three uses of polyester. Write the reason for each such use.

[HINT: Polyester fibres and fabrics – garments and jackets for use in wet and damp environment
are prepared…. they have water resistant finish effect (hydrophobic property);…… used in everyday
clothing like pants, shirts… they are wrinkle free…..;climbing ropes, suits sleeping bags….high tenacity,
light weight….; other uses PET bottles, conveyor belts, safety belts , blending with other fibres etc….]

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 4. Synthetic polymers have become an integral part of our lives. Explain listing advantages associated
with their uses.

[HINT: Some of the synthetic polymers we use include nylon …used in fabrics and textiles….
Teflon.. used in non-stick cookware,…PET-bottles… they are strong, corrosion resistant,
flexible….etc…]

5. Explain 4R principle with an example.

[HINT: 4R- waste prevention technique…. reduction , reuse, recycle and recovery… any example
from day today life….reuse of used plastic bottles…used paper to pulp converted into decorative
articles… ]

To be done in class notebook

The following question-answers are to be done in the Chemistry class notebook
(single lined) and to be submitted to your Chemistry teacher on the very first day of
the school of the new session.

ANSWERS ARE WRITTEN IN GREEN.

Page 55 and 56 of Basic Science

Q. 1 Name three rayons.

ANSWER:

Name of three rayons:-

Viscose rayon

Cuprammonium rayon

Acetate rayon

Q. 2 To what use propylene and acetylene be put?

ANSWER:

Use of propylene:- It is used to make polypropylene.

Use of acetylene:- It is used to make polythene.

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Q. 3 Mention three advantages and three disadvantages of synthetic fibres in comparison to natural fibres.

Three advantages of synthetic fibres:

Synthetic fibres are stronger and durable than synthetic fibres.

Synthetic fibres are not easily acted upon by moisture, chemicals or bacteria.

They are generally cheaper than natural fibres.

Three disadvantages of synthetic fibres:

Synthetic fibres melt before burning. Therefore clothes made of such

fibres stick to the skin when in contact with flame.

They get electrically charged in dry weather which causes irritation to

the skin.
They are non-biodegradable. Hence they cause pollution to the
environment.

Page 75 of NCERT

Q.1 Explain why some fibres are called synthetic.

ANSWER:

Some fibres are called synthetic fibres because :-

Their source is natural.

They are made by human beings artificially using chemicals.

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Q. 2 Mark (✓) the correct answer.

Rayon is different from synthetic fibres because

(a) it has a silk-like appearance.
(b) it is obtained from wood pulp.
(c) its fibres can also be woven like those of natural fibres.
ANSWER: (b) it is obtained from wood pulp.

Q.3
Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.
(a) Synthetic fibres are also called ____ or ____ fibres.
(b) Synthetic fibres are synthesised from a raw material called _____
(c) Like synthetic fibres, plastic is also a _____

ANSWER:

(a) man-made, artificial fibres

(b) petrochemicals
(c) polymer

Q. 4
Give examples which indicate that nylon fibres are very strong.

ANSWER:
The following examples indicate that nylon fibres are very strong

They are used for making parachutes and ropes for rock climbing.

They are used in making seat-belts, fishing nets, string for sports rackets etc.

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 Q 5.
Explain why plastic containers are favoured for storing food.

ANSWER:

Plastic containers are favoured for storing food because of the following reasons:
(a) The plastics do not react with the food materials stored in them.

(b) The plastics are lightweight, strong and cheaper.

(c) They are easy to handle.

Q. 6.
Explain the difference between thermoplastic and thermosetting plastics.

ANSWER:

Thermoplastics Thermosetting plastics

(i) These plastics softened on heating and can be (i) These plastics when moulded once, can‟t be
bent easily. softened again.

(ii) They do not lose their plasticity. (ii) They lose their plasticity.

Q. 7
Explain why the following are made of thermosetting plastics.
(a) Saucepan handles
(b) Electric plugs/switches/plug boards

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ANSWER:
(a) Saucepan handles are made of thermosetting plastics due to following reasons:

Thermoplastics get deformed easily on heating whereas thermosetting plastics cannot

be softened by heat. They are bad conductors of heat.

During cooking there is a continuous supply of heat energy. Hence if the handle of a
saucepan is made of thermosetting plastic, then it becomes easier to cook since being
a bad conductor of heat, it does not get heated easily .

It also does not get deformed by heat as it is made of thermosetting plastic like
bakelite.

(b) Electric plugs/switches/plug boards are made by thermosetting plastics like bakelite due to
following reasons:-

Thermosetting plastics are bad conductor of electricity. Hence they are used to make
electric plugs/switches/plug boards because electricity cannot flow through them.

Thermosetting plastics are bad conductor of heat. Hence they are used to make
electric plugs/switches/plug boards because heat generated due to flow of electricity
can least affect them.

Q. 8
Categorise the materials of the following products into „can be recycled‟ and „cannot be
recycled‟.
Telephone instruments, plastic toys, cooker handles, carry bags, ballpoint pens, plastic bowls,
plastic covering on electrical wires, plastic chairs, electrical switches.

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ANSWER:

Can be recycled Cannot be recycled

Plastic toys carry bags, plastic bowls, plastic Telephone instruments, cooker handles,
covering on electrical wires, plastic chairs. ballpoint pens, electrical switches.

Q. 9 Rana wants to buy shirts for summer. Should he buy cotton shirts or shirts made from
synthetic material? Advise Rana, giving your reason.

ANSWER:
Rana should buy a cotton shirt for the summer and not a synthetic shirt due to following reasons:-

Cotton is a good absorber of water. So it can soak the sweat coming out of the body and expose it
to the environment. Thus, it helps in evaporating the sweat and helps in cooling our body.
Synthetic fibres cannot absorb water. Hence shirts made from synthetic fibres cannot absorb
sweat. Therefore wearing them during summer becomes very uncomfortable.

Q. 10 Give examples to show that plastics are noncorrosive in nature.

ANSWER:

Metals get corroded when exposed to air and moisture. But plastics remain unaffected by the
action of water and air and are noncorrosive in nature.
Therefore many chemicals can be kept in plastics containers because plastics do not react with
them.
Foods do not react with plastics. Hence plastic containers can be used to store foods.
Q. 11
Should the handle and bristles of a toothbrush be made of the same material? Explain your answer.

ANSWER:

No, the handle and bristles of a toothbrush should not be made of the same material.

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Reasons:-

The handle of the toothbrush should be made of hard and durable material so that it can be
properly held while using.
For this purpose thermosetting plastic can be used.
Bristles of a toothbrush should be made of synthetic fibre like nylon because it is soft, flexible
and durable. Hence proper brushing of teeth can be done.

Q. 12 „Avoid plastics as far as possible‟. Comment on this advice.

ANSWER:
We should avoid plastics must be as far as possible due to following reasons:-

The materials made of plastics are non-biodegradable.

When the plastics are burnt, it releases a lot of poisonous gases into the atmosphere
causing air pollution.
The waste plastic articles thrown here and there carelessly get into sewers, and block
them which cause waterlogging in rainy seasons.
Hence though in many fields plastics are useful still it can be considered a threat to our
environment.

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Q. 13 Match the terms of column A correctly with nthe phrases given in column B.

A B

(i) Polyester (a) Prepared by using wood pulp

(ii) Teflon (b)Used for making parachutes and stockings

(iii) Rayon (c) Used to make non-stick cookware

(iv) Nylon (d) Fabrics do not wrinkle easily

ANSWER:

(i) (d)
(ii) (c)
(iii) (a)
(iv) (b)

Q. 14
„Manufacturing synthetic fibres is actually helping the conservation of forests‟. Comment.
ANSWER:
Natural fibres are mainly derived from plants. Hence for that purpose destruction of those plants
take place.
Raw materials to manufacture of synthetic fibres are not obtained from natural resources like
plants.
Hence for this purpose deforestation is not required.
Therefore though synthetic fibres are hartmful to the environment because they are non-
biodegradable, still manufacturing and usage of them help conservation of forests.

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Q. 15 Describe an activity to show that thermoplastic is a poor conductor of electricity

ANSWER:
Aim:- To prove that the thermoplastic is a poor conductor of electricity
Materials required: - Two 1.5V bulbs, some wires, a battery, a piece of metal and a plastic pipe (made by
any thermoplastic like PVC).

Experiment:-
First we will design two circuits using above mentioned materials.
In one circuit a piece of metal is inserted where as in the second circuit the plastic pipe is inserted.
For that, we need a bulb, some wires, a battery, a piece of metal and a plastic pipe (as shown in
the figure below).
After setting the experiment current is switched on for both closed circuits.
Observation:- The bulb glows in the first circuit and the bulb does not glow in the second circuit..

Conclusion:-Hence a plastic pipe (which is a thermoplastic) is a poor conductor of electricity.

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