Grade 8 Science Quiz: Synthetic Fibres and Plastics

What are the three types of synthetic fibres commonly used?

• Cotton, Wool, Silk

• Spandex, Rayon, Linen

• Polyester, Nylon, Acrylic

• Rubber, Leather, Denim

Name three uses of synthetic fibres in everyday life.

• Glassware, paper products, and ceramics

• Clothing, upholstery, and ropes

• Food packaging, electronics, and construction materials

• Woodworking, metalworking, and gardening tools

What are the properties of plastics that make them suitable for packaging materials?

• Rigidity, biodegradability, high cost, and inability to be molded

• Flexibility, durability, lightweight, and ability to be molded into various shapes

• Transparency, fragility, heavy weight, and inability to be molded

• Opacity, flexibility, lightweight, and inability to be molded

How does the use of single-use plastics impact the environment?

• It helps in reducing pollution

• It contributes to pollution, harms wildlife, and takes hundreds of years to decompose.

• It has no impact on the environment

• It decomposes quickly

Explain the process of making nylon, polyester, and acrylic synthetic fibres.

• Heating and cooling water to create synthetic fibers

• Harvesting fibers from plants and animals to create synthetic fibers

• Mixing natural fibers with chemicals to create synthetic fibers

• Polymerization of specific monomers to form long chains of polymers, which are then spun into fibres.

List three different industries where synthetic fibres are extensively used.

• Entertainment, technology, and education

• Agriculture, healthcare, and food processing

• Textile, automotive, and construction

• Mining, energy, and aerospace

What are the two main properties of plastics that make them non-biodegradable?

• Easily broken down by microbes and enzymes

• Strong molecular bonds and resistance to microbial degradation

• Low melting point and easy degradation

• Highly soluble in water and weak molecular bonds

Discuss the environmental impact of microplastics on marine life.

• Microplastics have no impact on marine life

• Microplastics help in the growth and development of marine life

• Marine life benefits from the presence of microplastics

• Microplastics can harm marine life by ingestion and release of toxic chemicals.

How can the environmental impact of plastics be reduced through recycling and alternative materials?

• By recycling plastics and using alternative materials such as biodegradable plastics or natural fibers.

• By dumping plastics in landfills

• By using more plastic products

• By burning plastics for energy