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Name: Jane C. Macalos Course/Year: BEED-GE 3

Instructor: Mr. Limwel Naldoza Date: November 17, 2023 Score: __________

Natural and Synthetic Fibers

Activity # 3

I. Objectives: At the end of the experiment, the students should be able to:
1. Identified materials from natural and synthetic fibers
2. Enumerated the characteristics of natural and synthetic fibers.

II. Materials:
A. Sample of synthetic fabrics
Nylon, Rayon, and Dacron
B. Sample of natural fabrics
Cotton (non-polyester), silk and wool, hand lens, large metal tray, dropper, pair of
scissors, matches, laboratory tongs, identical glass jars or beakers (many as there are
fabric samples), alcohol lamp, stopwatch with second hand, detergent powder, and
large
jar.

III. Procedure.
1. Cut a strip (about 8 cm x 1 cm) of each fabric. Hold each strip over a flame and observe
the changes in each strip. You may also want to find out how fast each material burns.
List your observation in the data table.
2. Find out what effect water has on each fabric. Place one or two drops of water on each
fabric. List your observation.
3. Cut equal-sized fabric squares. Rub equal amounts of “dirt” such as colored chalk dust,
charcoal powder, and soil on each fabric. Fill a large jar with water. Dissolve 2
tablespoons of detergent powder in the water. Pour equal amounts of soup solution into
the glass jars. Put a sample of each dirty fabric in each jar and let it soak in the soap

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solution for about 10 minutes. Remove the fabric source from the solution and rinse it.
Examine each fabric. See if dirt is washed off easily from it. Record your observation.

IV. Questions.
1. What are some of the properties of synthetic fabrics that you have observed?
Answer: The properties of synthetic fabrics that we have observed such as silk and
wool come from animal sources, while cotton is derived from plants. Silk is produced
by silkworms, and its characteristic smoothness and luster were evident in the
experiment. Wool, obtained from sheep, exhibited resilience to burning and absorbed
water effectively. Cotton, a plant-based fiber, showcased its flammability when
exposed to flame and readily absorbed water.

On the synthetic side, nylon, rayon, and Dacron were explored. Nylon demonstrated
resistance to burning and limited water absorption. Rayon, although derived from
plant cellulose, exhibited characteristics closer to synthetic fibers, with moderate
burning and water absorption. Dacron, a synthetic polyester, resisted burning and
displayed minimal reaction to water.

The experiment aimed to differentiate these fibers based on their reactions to flame,
water, and cleaning processes. Observations were recorded meticulously to identify
distinct characteristics, fulfilling the objectives of recognizing materials from natural
and synthetic fibers and enumerating their respective traits.

2. Given a strip of fabric, can you tell whether it is natural or synthetic? How?
Answer: Distinguishing Between Natural and Synthetic Fabrics:
Given a strip of fabric, you can identify whether it is natural or synthetic through
various tests. For example, in the burn test, synthetic fabrics tend to burn more
readily, producing large flames and turning to ashes. Additionally, their resistance to
water absorption and performance in dirt cleaning tests can provide clues. Natural
fabrics like cotton and wool, on the other hand, exhibit different burning
characteristics, water absorption patterns, and responses to dirt cleaning, aiding in
the identification process.

These experiments help highlight the contrasting properties between natural and
synthetic fibers, aiding in their identification based on observable characteristics

V. Results and Discussions.

Materials Natural fibers Synthetic fibers

Cotton ✓ A natural fibers
Burn test:
*Complete burn in 20.29
seconds.
*Large burns
* Turn to ashes
*Smoky paper odor
Water drop test:
Quickly and quickly absorb
water
* A rapid and thorough water Cotton is not a

TScie-2. Teaching Science in the Intermediate Grade First semester BEEd-3

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invasion of the fabric area. synthetic fibers

* Prolonged drying

Dirt cleaning test:

* Placed third out of six
fabrics in the rapid spot
treatment competition using
only a detergent solution soak
*Charcoal stains disappear
more quickly after soaking in
detergent

Wool

✓ A natural fibers
Burn test:

*The final burn takes just Wool is not a synthetic

10.59 seconds. fiber
* Gentle flames
* Stiff ash
* Smoke odor in hair

Water drop test:

* Very quick absorption of
water
Dry gradually.
* Water sprayed quickly

Dirt cleaning test:

*Second place out of the six
fibers in the detergent
soaking session speed
competition for dirt removal
* Quick elimination of dirt
after soaking in detergent
solution

TScie-2. Teaching Science in the Intermediate Grade First semester BEEd-3

Compiled by: Limwel A. Naldoza, MAEd
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Silk ✓ A natural fibers

Burn test: Silk is not synthetic
*Only 7.68 seconds remain to fiber
burn.
* A normal flame
*Minor ash
*Smoke smell of paper

Water drop test:

* Average speed at which
water can be absorbed.
* Quickly dries

Dirt cleaning test:

* First place in a speed
competition using detergent
soaking to remove grime.

* Charcoal stains were

instantly removed after being
immersed in detergent
solution.
Nylon Nylon is not natural fiber. ✓ A synthetic fiber:
Burn test:

*The burn time is 16.54

seconds.
* Acts as though a
plastic melting in
ordinary flames.
* Discards plastic bling
*Smoke smells strongly

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Water drop test:

* Very sluggish water
absorption
* A little droplet of water
is apparent (waterproof
like).
* dries up fast

Dirt cleaning test:

* Ranked fifth out of the
six textiles in terms of
how quickly stains
could be removed by
just soaking it in
detergent solution.
* Easy to clean
Rayon Rayon is not natural fiber ✓ A synthetic fiber:
Burn test:

*The burn time is 17.91

seconds.
* A tiny melting and
retreating
* Potent smell
* Huge fires
* Stubborn plastic
beads.

Water drop test:

* Quickly wets the cloth
area while absorbing
little water.
* A tiny droplet of water
is present ( like in the
taro leaves).
* Dries at a moderate
rate.

Dirt cleaning test:

* Finished sixth in a
speed competition to
remove grime with
simply a detergent
solution soak.
* Even after being
immersed in detergent
solution, the stains are
still there.
Dacron Dacron is not natural fiber. ✓ A synthetic fiber

TScie-2. Teaching Science in the Intermediate Grade First semester BEEd-3

Compiled by: Limwel A. Naldoza, MAEd
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Burn test:
*The burn time is just
19.64 seconds.
* Large flames
* The polymer beads
resemble ash.
* Smoke has a chemical
odor.

Water drop test:

* Very slowly and with
little water absorption

Dirt cleaning test:

* Fourth place for
eliminating grime
quickly with simply a
detergent soak
* Even after being
soaked in detergent
solution, dirt still
persists.
* But after washing, filth
is easier and quicker to
remove.

VI. Conclusion/Generalization.
Answer: Through the experimentation, it is evident that both natural and synthetic
fibers possess unique characteristics. Natural fibers, exemplified by dacron, reveal
specific burning patterns, while synthetic counterparts like nylon and rayon display
varying absorption and scattering properties. The combustion behavior and water
absorption of dacron, as a representative natural fiber, manifest as slow combustion
and efficient water absorption, respectively.

Contrastingly, synthetic fibers such as nylon and rayon diverge in their responses to
heat and water. Nylon, for instance, may showcase distinct absorption patterns
compared to dacron, contributing to a nuanced understanding of synthetic fiber
behaviors. Rayon, another synthetic fiber, introduces unique scattering properties,
further illustrating the diverse nature of materials in this category.

An intriguing observation emerges with silk, a synthetic fiber, as it rapidly absorbs and
scatters water. This anomaly highlights the intricate and sometimes unexpected
qualities embedded in synthetic textiles. The distinctive burning patterns of dacron
and the dynamic water-related behaviors of silk underscore the need for a

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comprehensive examination of individual fibers to discern their inherent

characteristics accurately.

In conclusion the identification of fabrics, whether they belong to the natural or

synthetic category, relies on meticulous observation of their reactions to heat and
water. The experiment sheds light on the intrinsic properties of various textile
materials. The slow combustion and effective water absorption of dacron, alongside
the rapid water absorption and scattering observed in silk, serve as key examples in
understanding the diverse traits exhibited by different fibers.

This exploration contributes significantly to our comprehension of textiles, offering

insights that can be valuable in various industries, from fashion to industrial
applications. It underscores the importance of recognizing and appreciating the
unique qualities of both natural and synthetic fibers, paving the way for informed
decision-making in material selection and application. Ultimately, the experiment
enhances our understanding of the intricate and varied nature of textile materials.

TScie-2. Teaching Science in the Intermediate Grade First semester BEEd-3

Compiled by: Limwel A. Naldoza, MAEd