Question

Which of the following is not a synthetic fibre?
A. Polyester
B. Nylon
C. Wool
D.Acrylic

Answer 1

Hint: Polymers that are not natural can be synthesized in a lot of ways. Each pathway provides and generates polymers of different nature and thus they are characterised.

Complete step by step solution:
-Polymers may be divided into two categories based on their origin:
Natural polymers and Synthetic polymers.
-As the name suggests natural polymers are the complex compounds of high molecular mass obtained from natural sources. For example starch, cellulose, proteins etc.
-Again Synthetic polymers are man-made commercial polymer products which have specified properties e.g., synthetic rubber can be made to have such properties that cant be achieved with natural rubber. They can be designed to withstand very high temperatures. Some examples are PVC, Teflon, nylon, Bakelite etc.
-On the other hand, semi-synthetic polymers are the polymers made by modification of the properties of the natural polymers. Some important examples are nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate etc. Guncotton which is used in making explosives is actually cellulose nitrate. Again cellulose acetate can be obtained from cellulose by acetylating cellulose which is used in making films, threads. Vulcanised rubber, made by heating natural rubber with sulphur, has a lot of improved properties and used in making tyres.
Among these alternatives, Wool is obtained from the bodies of many animals like yak, sheep, camels and many more. Therefore wool is a natural fibre and not a synthetic fibre.

Therefore C is the correct option.

Note: Yak, sheep, camel, goat are some common animals which have fur on their body which is obtained and wool is produced. The natural fibres which are obtained from these animals and these are utilised for the production of wool.