Synthetic fibres and plastics · संश्लेषित रेशे और प्लास्टिक
A free Chemistry lesson for Class 8 children.
Natural fibres come from plants and animals: cotton, jute, wool, silk. Synthetic fibres are made by people from chemicals, often from petroleum.
Rayon is made from wood pulp and looks like silk. Nylon is strong and used in ropes, parachutes and toothbrushes.
Polyester does not wrinkle and dries fast. Acrylic looks like wool and is used in sweaters and blankets.
Plastics are polymers: long chains of small units. Thermoplastics like polythene soften on heating. Thermosetting plastics like bakelite do not.
Plastics are light, strong, cheap and do not rust, but they are non-biodegradable and pollute the land and sea.
Follow the 4 Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle and recover. Avoid single-use plastic bags.