Class 8 Science Chapter 17 – Synthetic Fibres and Plastics | SCERT Assam (English Medium)
Class 8 Science Chapter 17 – Synthetic Fibres and Plastics (SCERT Assam – English Medium)
Explore man-made materials that shape our modern world. This chapter covers polymer science, different types of synthetic fibers, and environmental impacts of plastics with special focus on Assam’s plastic pollution challenges.
✅ Key Topics:
- Natural vs synthetic fibers (rayon, nylon, polyester)
- Plastic types: Thermoplastic vs thermosetting
- Polymer structure and properties
- Biodegradable alternatives to plastics
- 4R principle (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover)
- Assam’s ban on single-use plastics
🎯 Why Ospin Academy?
- Comparative tables of fiber properties
- Flowchart of plastic recycling process
- Important 5-mark questions on environmental impact
- Case studies on Assam’s plastic waste management
Understand synthetic materials and their responsible use with our SCERT-aligned notes!
Class 8 Science (English Medium) PDF Solutions 2025-26 | SCERT Assam
Get the Class 8 Science (English Medium) PDF with detailed solutions, MCQs, and extra practice questions for SCERT Assam 2025-26.
Class 8 Science
Chapter – 17 Ospin Academy
Synthetic Fibres and Plastics
TEXTBOOK EXERCISES
Q. 1. Explain why some fibres are called synthetic.
Ans. Some fibres are called synthetic because they do not occur naturally and are made by man using petrochemicals.
Q. 2. Mark (✓) the correct answer:
Rayon is different from synthetic fibre because:
(i) it has a silk like appearance.
(ii) it is obtained from wood pulp.
(iii) its fibres can also be woven like those of natural fibres.
Ans. (ii) it is obtained from wood pulp.
Q. 3. Fill in the blank with appropriate words:
(i) Synthetic fibres are also called _________ or __________ fibres.
Ans. man-made or artifical fibres.
(ii) Synthetic fibres are synthesized from raw material called __________.
Ans. petrochemicals.
(iii) Like synthetic fibres, plastic is also a __________.
Ans. polymer.
Q. 4. Give examples which indicate that nylon fibres are very strong.
Ans. Examples:
(i) They are used for making parachutes and ropes for rock climbing.
(ii) They are used in making seat-belts, fishing nets, tyre cord, strings for sports rackets and musical instruments.
Q. 5. Explain why plastic containers are favoured for storing food.
Ans. Plastic containers are favoured for storing food because:
(a) the plastics do not react with the food stored in them.
(b) the plastics are light weight and are strong.
(c) they are easy to handle and safe.
Q. 6. Explain the difference between the thermoplastic and thermosetting plastics.
Ans.
|
Thermoplastics |
Thermosetting plastics |
|---|---|
|
1. These are the plastics which get deformed easily on heating and can be bent easily. |
1. These are the plastics which when moulded once, cannot be softened by heating. |
|
2. These are used for manufacturing toys, combs, car grills and various types of containers. Examples: Polythene and PVC |
2. (i) Bakelites are used for making electrical switches, handles of various utensils etc. (ii) Melamines are used for making floor tiles, kitchen wares and fabrics which resist fire. Examples: Bakelite and Melamine. |
Q. 7. Explain why the following are made of thermosetting plastics:
(a) Saucepan handles.
Ans. The handles of saucepan are made of thermosetting plastics because it is a bad conductor of heat and do not get heated up while cooking.
(b) Electric plugs/ switches/plug boards.
Ans. Electric plugs/switches/plug boards are made of thermosetting plastic, because it is a bad conductor of electricity. The electric current does not pass through such plastics.
Q. 8. Categorize 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 electric wires, plastic chairs, electrical switches.
Ans. Can be recycled: Plastic toys, carry bags, plastic bowls, ball point pen, plastic chairs, electric wire covering.
Cannot be recycled: Cooker handles, electric switches, telephone instruments.
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.
Ans. Cotton clothes are preferred to Synthetic clothes in summers because cotton is a bad conductor of heat. It does not allow the outer heat to enter in our body, thus protects body from heat. It also has more capacity to hold moisture than the synthetic clothes. So, it retains the sweat of the body and keeps it cool. So, Rana should buy shirts made up of cotton.
Q. 10. Give examples to show that plastics are non-corrosive in nature.
Ans. Examples to show that plastics are non-corrosive in nature:
(i) They do not react with any substance.
(ii) Plastics do not react with air and water which are essential for corrosion.
(iii) They do not show any chemical reaction.
Q. 11. Should the handle and bristles of a brush be made of the same materials. Explain your answer.
Ans. No, the handle and bristles of a tooth brush should not be made of the same material because the bristles should be soft and the handle should be hard. So the bristles should be made up of soft material so that it does not harm the gums. The handles should be made up of hard materials so that it can give firm grip.
Q. 12. ‘Avoid plastics as far as possible’. Comment on this advice.
Ans. The articles made of plastics are non-biodegradable. So, the use of plastics has a bad effect on the environment. The plastics cannot be finally disposed off. Therefore, plastics should be avoided as for as possible.
Q. 13. Match the terms of column I correctly with the phrases given in column II
|
Column l |
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 l |
Column II |
|---|---|
|
(i) Polyester |
(d) Fabrics do not wrinkle easily |
|
(ii) Teflon |
(c) Used to make non-stick cookwares |
|
(iii) Rayon |
(a) Prepared by using wood pulp |
|
(iv) Nylon |
(b) Used for making parachutes and stockings |
Q. 14. ‘Manufacturing synthetic fibres is actually helping conservation of forests’. Comment.
Ans. Manufacturing synthetic fibres is actually helping conservation of forests because it does not require cutting plants and hunting animals to get the natural fibres. The synthetic fibres are made up of chemicals and these chemicals are not available in forests.
Q. 15. Describre an activity to show that Thermoplastic is a poor conductor of electricity.
Ans. 1. Arrange a circuit as shown in the figure given below.
2. Leave a gap (say AB) between two ends of the wire.
3. Place a piece of copper wire in the gap touching the points A and B.
4. The bulb starts glowing. This shows that the copper is a good conductor of electricity.
5. Now repeat the same experiment with plastic. The bulb does not glow. This shows that plastic is a poor conductor of electricity.
Class 8 Science Chapter 17 – Synthetic Fibres and Plastics FAQs
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