Synthetic Fibres and Plastics Question Answers: NCERT Class 8 Science

Welcome to the Chapter 3 - Synthetic Fibres and Plastics, Class 8 Science - NCERT Solutions page. Here, we provide detailed question answers for Chapter 3 - Synthetic Fibres and Plastics.The page is designed to help students gain a thorough understanding of the concepts related to natural resources, their classification, and sustainable development.

Our solutions explain each answer in a simple and comprehensive way, making it easier for students to grasp key topics and excel in their exams. By going through these Synthetic Fibres and Plastics question answers, you can strengthen your foundation and improve your performance in Class 8 Science. Whether you're revising or preparing for tests, this chapter-wise guide will serve as an invaluable resource.

Synthetic fibre are called as man- made fibre whereas natural fibres are obtained from the nature.
Polymers are made up of many smaller units.
Natural fibres are obtained from plants and animals whereas man- made fibres or synthetic fibres are obtained by chemical processing of petrochemicals.
Many household articles like ropes, buckets, containers, furniture etc. are made up of synthetic fibres. Some highly specialized use of synthetic fibres are ships, space, space- craft etc.
Nylon, Rayon, polyester and acrylic are the different types of synthetic fibre depending upon the type of chemical used.
Different types of fibres differ from one another in their strength, cost, durability and water absorbing capacity.
Plastic is non- biodegradable, it does not degenerate in the environment. It is not eco- friendly.
We should avoid plastics to make the environment clean.
Acrylic is the artificial wool that resembles to the natural wool but it is cheaper than it. More durable clothes are obtained from the acrylic wool as compare to the natural wool.
By chemical treatment of wood pulp artificial silk or rayon is obtained. It is cheaper than the natural silk.
Nylon is made from coal, water and air. It is man- made or synthetic fibre. Nylon is the first fibre which us fully synthetic.
Plastics can be molded into desired shape. It is a synthetic material. It is also a polymer.
Polyester may be defined as the synthetic fibre which does not get wrinkled easily. It is used for making dress.
A chain of small units joined together to make a large unit called polymer.
Plastic is used for making commonly used polythene bags.
Terylene is polyester.
The plastics which gets deformed easily on heating and which can bent easily are called as thermoplastics. For example: comb, toys etc.
Plastic which cannot be deformed easily are called as thermosetting plastics. For example: Floor tiles, plates etc.

Download PDF - Chapter 3 Synthetic Fibres and Plastics - Class 8 Science

Download PDF - NCERT Examplar Solutions - Chapter 3 Synthetic Fibres and Plastics - Class 8 Science

Exercise 1 ( Page No. : 42 )

Explain why some fibres are called synthetic.

Ans:

The fibres which are made by man are called as man- made or synthetic fibres. These fibres are made by man with the help of chemicals. Rayon, Nylon, Polyester are some examples of synthetic or man- made fibres.

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

Ans:

(b) It is obtaiuned from wood pulp

Rayon is different from synthetic fibres, as it is obtained from the wood pulp.

Fill in the blanks with appropriate words:

(a) Synthetic fibres are also called ______ or _______ fibres.
(b) Synthetic fibres are synthesised from raw material called ________.
(c) Like synthetic fibres, plastic is also a __________ .

Ans:

(a) Artificial, man- made

The fibres which are made by man with the help of chemicals are called as artificial or man- made fibres.

(b) Petrochemicals

Synthetic or man- made fibre is derived from the chemical or we can say petrol originated chemicals.

Plastics are also polymers. Polymers are the big chain of small units which are joined together.

Give examples which indicate that nylon fibres are very strong.

Ans:

Nylon fibre is very strong. It is used in making ropes which are used for mountain climbing. It is also used in making parachutes. It has a very high tensile strength.

Explain why plastic containers are favoured for storing food.

Ans:

Chemical containers are favoured for storing food because of the following reasons:

Plastics are generally cheap or lower in price.
Due to having light weight.
Plastics have a good strength. Plastics are easy to handle.

Explain the difference between the thermoplastic and thermosetting plastics.

Ans:

Generally plastics are of two types: Thermoplastic and Thermosetting.

Differences between Thermoplastic and Thermosetting are as follows:

Thermoplastic	Thermosetting Plastic
It can be bent easily.	It cannot be bent easily.
It can deformed easily.	It cannot be deformed easily.
It can be softened by heat.	It cannot be softened by heat.
Easily breakable.	Cannot be breakable easily.

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

Ans:

(a) Saucepan handles

Thermosetting plastic is the hard plastic which cannot be softened easily on heating. Saucepan handles are made up of thermosetting plastic because thermosetting plastic is a poor conductor of heat.

(b) Electric plugs/ Switches/ Plug boards

Thermosetting plastic are the poor conductor of heat and electricity. Hence, Thermosetting Plastic is used to make electric plug or switches or plug boards to prevent from electric shock.

Categorise the materials of the following products into ‘can be recycled’ and ‘cannot be recycled’:

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

Ans:

Cannot be recycled	Can be recycled
Telephone instruments Cooker handles Electrical switches	Plastic toys Plastic chains Carry bags Plastic covering of electrical wires Ball point pens Plastic bows

The things which are made up of thermoplastic can be broke down easily. So, the things can be recycled easily in comparison to the things which are made up of thermosetting plastic.

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

Ans:

Rana should buy a cotton shirt because cotton is a bad conductor of heat and a good absorber of water also. Evaporation of sweat occurs quickly in cotton and gives a cool sensation. So, we advise Rana to buy a shirt which is made up of cotton instead of a synthetic shirt.

Q10

Give examples to show that plastics are noncorrosive in nature.

Ans:

Plastics are non- corrosive in nature because plastics are non- degradable substances. Plastics remain unreactive in nature while they comes in contact of strong acids. Generally plastics are used to store things.

Q11

Should the handle and bristles of a tooth brush be made of the same material? Explain your answer.

Ans:

No, the handle and bristles of tooth brush are made up of different types of materials. The bristles are soft and flexible whereas the handles of brush are hard enough.

Q12

‘Avoid plastics as far as possible’. Comment on this advice.

Ans:

Plastics are non- degradable substance. Plastic cannot be decomposed by micro- organisms. On burning, plastics cannot burnt fully and also releases harmful and poisonous gases or chemicals in the environment. Plastic bags are thrown into the garbage. Sometimes animals like cow, dog, swallow; plastic polythene which choke their respiratory tract which lead to their death. That is why we should avoid the use of plastics.

Q13

Match the terms of column I correctly with the phrases given in column II.
Column I Column II
(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 cookwares
(iv) Nylon (d) Fabrics do not wrinkle easily

Ans:

Column I Column II

Poyester (d) Fabrics do not wrinkle easily

Teflon (c) used to make non- stick cookware

Rayon (a) prepared by using wood pulp

Nylon (b) used for making parachutes and stockings

Polyester is a synthetic fibre which is made by man with the help of chemicals. A fabric made up of polyester do not wrinkled easily.
Teflon is a synthetic materials which is used in making non- stick cookware.
Rayon is different from synthetic fibres, it is obtained from wood pulp.
Nylon has a very high tensile strength. So it is used in making parachutes and stockings.

Q14

‘Manufacturing synthetic fibres is actually helping conservation of forests’. Comment.

Ans:

Manufacturing synthetic fibres is actually helping conservation of forests because for natural fibres, raw materials is obtained from the plants. For this a number of trees are cut down. But for synthetic fibres, raw material is obtained from the petrochemicals. So we can say that synthetic fibres helps in the conservation of forests.

Q15

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

Ans:

With the help of an activity, we can see that thermoplastic are poor conductor of electricity.

Requirements: Bulb, some wires, battery, a piece of metal, plastic pipe.

Procedure:

Set up the first circuit with the help of metal and with the plastic pipe.
Now, switch on the current. Here you observed that the bulb will glow in the first case.
In later case, the bulb will no glow. It shows that the plastic pipe is the poor conductor of electricity.

metal