Question

Like synthetic fibres, plastic is also a:
A. Polymer
B. Polyester
C. Natural
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Solve this question by looking at the basic constituents and structure of both synthetic fiber and plastics. Also focus on the reaction which combines its monomers units.

Complete step by step answer:
Let us discuss some of the terms given to us in the question.
Polymer – “A polymer is a substance or material consisting of very large molecules, or macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits”.
Polyester – “Polyester is a category of polymers that contain the ester functional group in their main chain. As a specific material, it most commonly refers to a type called polyethylene terephthalate”.
Natural fiber – “Natural fibers or natural fibres are fibers that are produced by plants, animals, and geological processes. They can be used as a component of composite materials, where the orientation of fibers impacts the properties”.
Synthetic fibers are made up of raw materials such as petroleum, based on chemicals and petrochemicals, which are polymerized into a long, linear chemical with different chemical compounds.
Plastics are organic polymers of high molecular mass and contain other substances, called monomers.
Therefore, we can say that both synthetic fibers and plastics are made by polymerization of its monomer units.
Therefore, the answer is – option (a) – Plastic is also a polymer like synthetic fiber.

Note: Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibres (such as zylon, kevlar, spectra and dyneema) are the strongest fibres in the world.