Question Paper

Standard VIII Chemistry Synthetic Fibres and Plastics

Subject...

Sita has to work in the laboratory. What type of clothes should she wear? Give
1 reasons for your answer. [2 MARKS]

Choice of Cloth : 1 Mark

Reason : 1 Mark

Sita should wear clothes made up of natural fibres because synthetic fibres melt on
heating. This is actually a disadvantage of synthetic fibres. If the clothes catch fire, it can
be disastrous. The fabric melts and sticks to the body of the person wearing it.

The below articles are made up of which synthetic fibre? Explain its characteristics.
2 [2 MARKS]

Which fibre : 1 Mark

Characteristics : 1 Mark

These articles are made up of nylon.

Nylon fibre is strong, elastic and light. It is lustrous and easy to wash.

Explain the uses of different types of fibres. [5 MARKS]

3
Uses : 1 Mark each

1. Rayon is cheaper than silk and can be woven like silk fibres. It can also be dyed in a
wide variety of colours. Rayon is mixed with cotton to make bed sheets or mixed with
wool to make carpets.
2. Rayon is used for making many articles such as socks, ropes, tents, toothbrushes, car
seat belts, sleeping bags, curtains etc.
3. Nylon is also used for making parachutes and ropes for rock climbing.
3. Nylon is also used for making parachutes and ropes for rock climbing.
4. Polyester is used to make fabric. Fabric made from this fibre does not get wrinkled
easily. It remains crisp and is easy to wash. It is used for making bottles, utensils, films,
wires and many other useful products.
5. Acrylic is used to make sweaters, shawls and blankets in the winter.

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

4 [5 MARKS]

Need to conserve : 2.5 Marks

How is it being conserved : 2.5 Marks

Forests are a necessity for the survival of living beings. Not only do they provide a green
cover that prevents soil erosion, it also converts the carbon dioxide to oxygen which is
required by us for Respiration. Forests provide many important raw materials from which
we make various useful items.

Many things which were earlier made from forest products are now being made from
synthetic fibres. For example; plastic chairs have replaced wooden chairs in a big way.
Similarly, wooden cartons and crates have been replaced by plastic cartons and crates.
The way plastic has replaced wood from many items, it is definitely minimizing the need
to cut forests. Thus, it can be said that manufacturing synthetic fibres is actually helping
conservation of forests.

As a responsible citizen, what steps should be taken by us to decrease the adverse

5 effects of plastic on the environment? [5 MARKS]

4R principle : 1 Marks
Practices : 1 Mark each

As a responsible citizen we should remember the 4 R principle. Reduce,

Reuse, Recycle and Recover. This principle implies that we should reduce the
consumption of non-biodegradable substances, reuse the substances which we can,
recycle the materials that can be recycled and recover useful materials from wastes.
It is better to recycle the plastic waste. Most of the thermoplastics can be recycled. Do
not throw plastic bags in the water bodies or on the road, instead try to reuse them. Take
a cotton carry-bag or a jute bag while going for shopping. Try to minimise the use of
plastic materials e.g., use a steel lunch box instead of a plastic one. Develop habits
which are environment friendly.

What are synthetic or man made fibres and natural fibres? Explain with examples. [3
6 MARKS]

Synthetic Fibres : 1.5 Marks

Man-made Fibres : 1.5 Marks

The fibres which are obtained from plants and animals are called natural fibres. Ex-
Cotton, wool, silk, etc.
The synthetic fibres, on the other hand, are made by human beings. That is why these
are called synthetic or man-made fibres. Ex- Nyon, etc.

Why synthetic fibres are more popular than natural fibres? [3 MARKS]
7
Advantages : 1 Mark each
Advantages : 1 Mark each

Synthetic fibres possess unique characteristics which make them popular in dress
materials. They dry up quickly, are durable, less expensive, readily available and easy to
maintain. Synthetic fibres are more durable and affordable which makes them more
popular than natural fibres.

Differentiate between thermosetting plastics and thermoplastics using examples. [3

8 MARKS]

Definition : 1 Mark
Examples : 2 Marks

Plastics which can be deformed easily on heating or bend easily are known as
thermoplastics. Ex- PVC and Polythene.
Plastics which when moulded once, cannot be softened by heating are called
thermosetting plastics. Two examples are bakelite and melamine.

Ram has a cotton shirt and a shirt made from synthetic material. Which shirt is
9 suitable for summers? Explain. [3 MARKS]

Choice of Cloth : 1 Mark

Reason : 2 Marks

Cotton has better absorbing property than synthetic fibre. During summer, cotton cloth
can absorb sweat. The sweat would give cooling effect to the body, due to evaporation.
Thus a cotton shirt would be much more comfortable than a shirt made from synthetic
fibre.

Explain the use of plastics in health care industry. [2 MARKS]

10
Uses : 0.5 Mark each

Plastics find extensive use in the health-care industry. They are used in the packaging of
tablets, threads used for stitching wounds, syringes, doctors gloves and a number of
medical instruments.

Why nylon is used for making parachutes and ropes for rock climbing? [1 MARK]
11
Reason : 1 Mark

A nylon thread is very strong and can withstand high load. Therefore it is used in making
parachutes and ropes for rock climbing.

Write short notes on: (a) Teflon (b) Plastic cookware (c) Melamine [3 MARKS]
12
Teflon : 1 Mark
Plastic cookware : 1 Mark
Melamine : 1 Mark
(a) Teflon is a special plastic on which oil and water do not stick. It is used for non-stick
coating on cook wares.
(b) Special plastic cookware is used in microwave ovens for cooking food. In microwave
ovens, the heat cooks the food but does not affect the plastic vessel.
(c) Melamine is a versatile material. It resists fire and can tolerate heat better than other
plastics. It is used for making floor tiles, kitchenware and fabrics which resist fire.

Explain the difference between Polythene and Bakelite. [3 MARKS]

13
Differences : 1 Mark each.

Polythene is an example of thermoplastics. It can be deformed easily on heating. It is

used as Carry bags.
Bakelite is an example of thermosetting plastics. These plastics once moulded, cannot
be softened by heating. They are used as handles in kitchen appliances and electrical
switches due to poor conductivity of heat and electricity.

Explain how rayon, nylon and polyester are obtained? [3 MARKS]

14
Rayon : 1 Mark
Nylon : 1 Mark
Polyester : 1 Mark

Rayon or artificial silk is obtained from wood pulp.

Nylon is prepared from coal, water and air.
Polyester (Poly+ester) is actually made up of the repeating units of a chemical called an
ester.

Although rayon is obtained from a natural source, wood pulp, yet it is a man-made
15 fibre. Why? [2 MARKS]

Concept : 1 Mark
Manner of Production : 1 Mark

Any fibre that is prepared by some man-made processes are called man-made fibre,
irrespective of the nature of raw materials.

Rayon or artificial silk is obtained from wood pulp. But it is not formed naturally. It is
obtained by chemical treatment of wood pulp. Thats why it is a man-made fibre.