INDIAN PUBLIC SCHOOL SALMIYA, KUWAIT

UNIT TEST 2 NOTES 2023-2024

CLASS: VIII SUBJECT: CHEMISTRY
CHAPTER:3 SYNTHETIC FIBRES AND PLASTICS (Part-1)
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS
1. What is meant by the term synthetic fibre? Give two examples
Ans: Fibres that are prepared by man in the factories by using different
chemicals are known as synthetic fibres. E.g.: Polyester, Rayon
2. What is polymerisation? Which is the most common monomer?
Ans: The process of making a large polymer molecule by joining together
many small monomer molecules is called polymerisation.
The most common monomer is ethene.
3. Why rayon is called artificial silk. Give reason.
Ans: Rayon is called artificial silk because of its texture and resembles like
silk. It is prepared from naturally occurring polymer- cellulose, which comes
from wood pulp.
4. Which monomers used to make the following polymers?
a. Polypropene
b. Poly phenylethane
c. Polythene
d. Cellulose
e. Nylon
Ans: a. propene, b. phenylethane, c. ethene, d. glucose, e. Amide
5. Give examples which indicate that nylon fibres are very strong.
Ans: Nylon fibres are very strong for making ropes used for rock climbing
and for making parachutes. Their usage shows that nylon fibres have high
tensile strength.
6. Nylon clothes should not be worn in kitchen while cooking. Give reason.
Ans: Nylon is being made from petroleum products. So, they catch fire
easily, melt and stick to the body.
7. Which raw materials are used to produce nylon?
Ans: Coal, petroleum, water and air.
8. Write the difference of raw materials used in rayon and nylon?
Ans: Rayon is prepared from a naturally occurring polymer called cellulose,
which comes from wood pulp. But nylon is made up of chemicals called
amide. Basic raw materials used for its production are coal, petroleum,
water and air.
9. What is polyester and how is it made up of?
Ans: Polyester is a synthetic fibre made from petroleum products called
petrochemicals. Polyester is made up of repeating units of chemical called
ester. polymerisation
Ester+ Ester+……. + Ester polyester
10. What is Acrylic fibre? Write any two uses?
Ans: Acrylic fibres are synthetic fibres made from a polymer called
polyacrylonitrile. Which is made up of repeating units of a chemical called
acrylonitrile.
polymerisation
Acrylonitrile +Acrylonitrile+………+Acrylonitrile Polyacrylonitrile
The main uses of acrylic are
a. Used for making sweaters, shawls, socks, sportswear etc.
b. Used for making blankets and rugs.
11. Manufacturing synthetic fibres is actually helping conservation of forests.
Explain.
Ans: Raw materials used for natural fibres are mainly from plants and this
means cutting a lot of trees. This leads to deforestation. But raw materials
used for synthetic fibres are mainly petrochemicals. Hence, manufacturing
synthetic fibres helps in the conservation of forests.
12. Write any four differences between synthetic and natural fibres.
Synthetic fibres Natural fibres
1. Man made fibres obtained 1. Natural fibres obtained from
from coal, petroleum, air and plants and animals.
water.
2. Strong and do not break 2.Weak and break easily
easily.
3. Resistant to moths and 3.Easily eaten away by moths
insects. and insects.
 4. Materials made of these 4. Materials made of these
fibres are cheaper. fibres are costly.

• Read the chapter well

• Do and learn all the reader exercises.