MUKHLiS TANVEER JAN KURD

Chemistry with Tanveer

Chemistry - Matter In Our Surroundings

Introduction

Everything found in this universe is made up of some materials, scientists have named them as “matter.” For example, the food we eat, the air we breathe, stones, clouds, stars, plants, animals, water, dust, everything is categorized as matter.

Characteristics of Particles of Matter

Particles of matter are very small, normally, not visible from naked eye.

Particles Of Matter

Particles of matter keep moving continuously, which is known as the “kinetic energy.”

Kinetic energy of particles directly depends on the temperature, as temperature increases, the speed of the movement also increases.

The particles of matter have attracting force; therefore, they attract each other.

The attracting force of the particles keeps the particles together; however, the strength of the attracting force varies from one kind of matter to another.

States of Matter

Matter has three following states −

Solid State

Liquid State

Gaseous State

States of Matter

Let’s discuss them in brief −

Solid State

All the solid materials have a definite shape, distinct boundaries, and fixed volumes.

Most of the solid materials have negligible compressibility.

All the solid materials have a natural tendency to maintain their shape when subjected to outside force.

The solid materials can be broken under applied force, but it is very difficult to change their shape, as they are rigid.

Liquid State

Unlike solids, liquids have no fixed shape; however, they have a fixed volume.

Liquids take up the shape of the container in which they are kept.

Liquids have the property to flow and change shape.

Gaseous State

Matter in the form of air, which is neither solid nor liquid, is known as gas. For example, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, etc.

Unlike solid, gas has not definite size and shape.

The gases, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG – used in cooking); compressed natural gas (CNG – used as fuel in vehicles), etc. have high compressibility; therefore, large volume of a gas can be compressed into a small cylinder and can be transported easily.

Gases, normally, show the property of diffusing very fast into other gases. This is the reason that we can smell (either good or bad) from the distance.

Matter Can Change its State

Water can exist in all three states, e.g. Ice as solid; water (H2O) as liquid; and water vapor as gas. The following diagram illustrates the transformation of water in different states −

Different State Of Water

The temperature, at which solid melt and transform into the liquid (at the given atmospheric pressure), is known as “melting point.”

The melting point of a solid is an indication of the strength of the force of attraction between its particles.

The melting point of ice is 273.16 K, i.e. 00 C.

The process of melting (i.e. change of solid state into liquid state) is known as fusion.

The amount of heat energy, which is required to change 1 kg of a solid materials into liquid materials at a given atmospheric pressure, is known as the latent heat of fusion.

The temperature at which a liquid starts boiling at the given atmospheric pressure is known as “boiling point.”

The boiling point of water is 373 K i.e. 1000C.

A change of state of a matter directly from solid to gas without changing into liquid state (or vice versa) is known as “sublimation.”

The phenomenon i.e. change of a liquid into vapors at any temperature below its boiling point is known as “evaporation.”

Solid carbon dioxide (CO2) is stored under high pressure.

Solid Carbon Dioxide

Solid CO2 gets converted directly into gaseous state once the pressure decreases to 1 atmosphere.

Atmosphere (atm) is a unit of measuring pressure exerted by the gas and the unit of pressure is Pascal (Pa); 1 atmosphere = 1.01 × 105 Pa.

The Fourth State of Matter

Plasma is the state that consists of super energetic and super excited particles.

Plasma

The super excited particles are found in the form of ionized gases. E.g. the fluorescent tube (which contains helium gas) and neon sign bulbs (which contain neon gas) consist of plasma.

Chemistry - Is Matter Around Us Pure

Introduction

A pure substance is that that consists of single type of particle or particles.

Mixture

Mixtures of two or more pure components without any undesirable substance are known as Mixtures, for example, water, minerals, soil etc.

A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances is known as solution. For example, lemonade, soda water etc.

Solution could be in any form such as – it could be in liquid, solid, or gaseous.

Alloys are another example of mixture that contain homogeneous mixtures of metals; they cannot be separated into their components by physical methods. E.g. For example, brass is a mixture of zinc (approximately 30%) and copper (about 70%).

Significant Features of Solution

Solution is normally a homogeneous mixture.

The particles of a solution are even smaller than 1 nm (10-9 meter) in diameter and hence, these are not visible from the naked eyes.

The path of light is not visible in a solution.

The dissolved particles cannot be separated from the mixture by the simple process of filtration.

The dissolved particles do not settle down when it left undisturbed.

At a given temperature, when no more solute can be dissolved in a solution, it is known as ‘saturated solution.’

At a given temperature, the amount of the dissolved particles present in the saturated solution, is known as solubility.’

Suspension

A suspension is a heterogeneous mixture in which the solute particles do not dissolve, but rather remain suspended throughout the bulk of the medium, is known as ‘suspension.’

Significant features of Suspension

Particles of a suspension are clearly visible from the naked eye.

Suspended Particles

The particles of a suspension scatter a beam of light that passes through it and likewise, its path is visible.

The salute particles can be separated from the mixture by the simple process of filtration.

Colloid

A heterogeneous mixture is known as ‘colloid.’ E.g. mist, fog, smoke, face cream, etc.

Colloid

The size of colloid particles is too small to see from the naked eye.

Colloid particles are big enough to scatter a beam of light passing through it and make the path visible.

Colloid particles cannot be separated from the mixture by the simple process of filtration.

The special filtration technique i.e. centrifugation, can be used to separate the colloidal particles.

Chromatography

The process of separation of components of a mixture is called as chromatography; normally it is used for the color separation.

Chromatography technique is used for separation of those solutes that dissolve in the same solvent.

Distillation

The process of purifying a liquid by heating and cooling means is known as distillation.

Crystallization

The process that separates a pure solid in the form of its crystals from a solution is known as ‘crystallization.’

Elements

In 1661, Robert Boyle was the first scientist who used the term element; Antoine Laurent Lavoisier, a French chemist, was the first who experimentally define the term element.

Element is as a basic form of matter that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by a chemical reaction.

Elements normally can be categorized as metals, non-metals, and metalloids.

Metal

A solid material, which typically is hard, ductile, malleable, shiny, and fusible with good electrical and thermal conductivity, is known as metal. E.g. gold, silver, copper, aluminum, etc.

Metal

Mercury is the only metal that remains liquid at room temperature.

Non-metal

All elements or substances, which are not metals, are known as non-metals. E.g. hydrogen, oxygen, iodine, carbon, etc.

Non-metals have variety of colors and they are poor conductors of heat and electricity.

Non-metals are not lustrous, sonorous, or malleable.

Compound

A substance, composed of two or more elements, is known as ‘compound.’

Compound is the result of the chemically combination of two or more elements in a fixed proportion.

Compound

Properties of a compound are somehow different from its constituent elements, whereas, the properties of a mixture are the same as of its constituting elements or compounds.

Chemistry - Atoms & Molecules

Introduction

Around 500 BC, an Indian Philosopher Maharishi Kanad, first time postulated the concept of indivisible part of matter and named it ‘pramanu.’

In 1808, John Dalton used the term ‘atom’ and postulated the atomic theory to the study of matter.

John Dalton

Dalton’s Atomic Theory

According to Dalton’s atomic theory, all matter, whether an element, a compound or a mixture is composed of small particles called atoms.

According to Dalton’s atomic theory, all matters, whether they are elements, compounds, or mixtures, are composed of small particles known as atoms.

Salient features of Dalton’s Atomic Theory

All matter is made of very miniscule particles known as atoms.

Atom is an indivisible particle, which cannot be created or destroyed through chemical reaction.

All atoms of an element are identical in mass and chemical properties whereas, atoms of different elements have different masses and chemical properties.

To form a compound, atoms are combined in the ratio of small whole numbers.

In a given compound, the relative number and kinds of atoms are constant.

Atomic Mass

The mass of an atom of a chemical element; it is expressed in atomic mass units (symbol is u).

The atomic mass is roughly equivalent to the number of protons and neutrons present in the atom.

One atomic mass unit is a mass unit equal to the exactly one-twelfth (1/12th) the mass of one atom of carbon-12 and the relative atomic masses of all elements have been calculated with respect to an atom of carbon-12.

Molecule

The smallest particle of an element or a compound, which is capable to exist independently and shows all the properties of the respective substance.

Molecule

A molecule, normally, is a group of two or more atoms which are chemically bonded together.

Atoms of the same element or of different elements can join (with chemical bond) together to form molecules.

The number of atoms that constitute a molecule is known as its atomicity.

Ion

A charged particle is known as ion; it could be either negative charge or positive charge.

The positively charged ion is known as a ‘cation’.

The negatively charged ion is known as an ‘anion.’

Chemical Formulae

A chemical formula of a compound demonstrations its constituent elements and the number of atoms of each combining element.

Chemical Formulae

The chemical formula of a compound is the symbolic representation of its Composition.

The combining capacity of an element is known as its ‘valency.’

Molecular Mass

The molecular mass of a substance is calculated by taking the sum of the atomic masses of all the atoms in a molecule of respective substance. For example, the molecular mass of water is calculated as −

Atomic mass of hydrogen = 1u

Atomic mass of oxygen = 16 u

The water contains two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen.

Molecular Mass of Water is = 2 × 1+ 1×16 = 18 u (u is the symbol of molecular mass).

Formula Unit Mass

The formula unit mass of a substance is calculated by taking the sum of the atomic masses of all atoms in a formula unit of a compound.

Avogadro Constant or Avogadro Number

Avogadro was an Italian scientist who had given the concept of Avogadro Number (also known as Avogadro Constant).

The number of particles (atoms, molecules, or ions) present in 1 mole of any substance is fixed, and its value always calculated as 6.022 × 1023.

In 1896, Wilhelm Ostwald had introduced the concept of ‘mole;’ however, mole unit was accepted to provide a simple way of reporting a large number in 1967.

Law of Conservation of Mass

During a chemical reaction, sum of the masses of the reactants and products remains unchanged, which is known as the ‘Law of Conservation of Mass.’

Law of Definite Proportions

In a pure chemical compound, its elements are always present in a definite proportion by mass, which is known as the ‘Law of Definite Proportions.’

Energy Levels

Bohr represented these orbits or shells are by the letters K, L, M, N,… or the numbers, n = 1,2,3,4,….

Neutron

In 1932, J. Chadwick discovered a new sub-atomic particle i.e. neutron.

Neutron has no charge and a mass nearly equal to that of a proton.

Neutrons are present in the nucleus of all atoms, except hydrogen.

Electrons Distributed in Different Orbits (Shells)

The maximum number of electrons that can be present in a shell is given by the formula 2n2.

‘n’ is the orbit number or energy level index, i.e. 1, 2, 3,….

According to the given formula −

First orbit i.e. K-shell will be = 2 × 12 = 2

Second orbit i.e. L-shell will be = 2 × 22 = 8

Third orbit i.e. M-shell will be = 2 × 32 = 18

Fourth orbit i.e. N-shell will be = 2 × 42 = 32

Likewise, the maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated in the outermost orbit is 8.

Electrons are not filled in a given shell, unless the inner shells are filled. It means, the shells are filled in a step-wise manner; starting from inner shell to outer shell.

Valence

The electrons, those are present in the outermost shell of an atom, are known as the valence electrons.

According to Bohr-Bury model, the outermost shell of an atom can have a maximum of 8 electrons.

Atomic Number

The total number of protons, present in the nucleus of an atom, is known as atomic number.

The number of protons of an atom determines the atomic number.

Atomic number is denoted by ‘Z’.

Protons and neutrons collectively are known as nucleons.

Mass Number

The sum of the total number of protons and neutrons, present in the nucleus of an atom, is known as mass number.

Isotopes

The atoms of the same element, having the same atomic number but different mass numbers, is known as isotopes. E.g. Hydrogen atom has three isotopes namely protium, deuterium, and tritium.

The chemical properties of isotopes of an atom are similar but their physical properties are different.

Isobars

Atoms of different elements with different atomic numbers, which have the same mass number, are known as isobars. E.g. calcium’s atomic number is 20and argon’s atomic number is 18; further, the number of electrons in these atoms is different, but the mass number of both these elements is 40.

Chemistry - Chemical Reactions & Equations

Introduction

A process in which one or more chemical substances react with other chemical substance and converted to one or more different substances is known as chemical reaction.

Chemical Equation

A chemical equation is the symbolic demonstration of a chemical reaction; it is represented through symbols and formulae. E.g.

Magnesium + Oxygen = Magnesium Oxide

Mg + O2 = MgO

The substances magnesium and oxygen are known as reactants and the result of reaction, i.e., magnesium oxide is known as product.

Remember, the total mass of the elements present in the products of a chemical reaction has to be equal to the total mass of the elements present in the reactants.

The number of atoms of each element always remains same, before and after the chemical reaction.

Types of Chemical Reaction

Following are the major types of chemical reaction −

Combination Reaction

Decomposition Reaction

Displacement Reaction

Let’s discuss each of them in brief −

Combination Reaction

When two or more substances (i.e. elements or compounds) react to form a single product, such reaction is known as combination reaction. E.g.

CaO(s) +H2O(1)→Ca(OH)2(aq)

(Quick lime) (Slaked lime)

As illustrated in the above reaction, calcium oxide and water reacted (or combined) to form a single product, known as calcium hydroxide.

The chemical reaction in which heat is also released along with the formation of product is known as exothermic chemical reactions.

Decomposition Reaction

The reaction, in which a single reactant breaks down into simpler products, is known as a decomposition reaction. E.g.

Decomposition Reaction

In the above given reaction, Ferrous sulphate crystals (i.e. FeSO4, 7H2O), when heated, it loses water and the color of the crystals changes. Finally, it decomposes into ferric oxide (Fe2O3), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and sulphur trioxide (SO3).

Displacement Reaction

The reaction, in which an element displaces or removes another element, is known as displacement reaction. E.g.

Fe(s)+ CuSO4(aq)→FeSO4(aq)+Cu(s)

(Copper sulphate)(Iron sulphate)

In the above given reaction, iron displaced copper from copper sulphate solution and forms Iron sulphate.

Oxidation and Reduction

If a substance gains oxygen during a reaction, it is known as oxidation. On the other hand, in a reaction, if a substance loses oxygen, it is known as reduction. E.g.

Oxidation Reduction

In the above given reaction, the copper oxide loses oxygen and hence reduced (i.e. reduction); on the other hand, hydrogen gains oxygen and hence oxidized (i.e. oxidation).

Corrosion

When a metal is attacked by substances found in the immediate environment, such as moisture, acids, etc., it is known as corrosion. E.g. the black coating on silver, the green coating on copper, etc.,

Corrosion

Rancidity

When fats and oils are getting oxidized, the process is known as rancidity. Their smell, taste, color, etc. also change; likewise, it made food unsafe for consumption.

Chemistry - Acids, Bases, and Salts

Introduction

We taste food sour and bitter, it is only because of presence of acids and bases respectively.

Litmus Solution

Litmus, which is extracted from lichen, has purple color (see the image given below), but the condition is when it is neither acidic nor basic, i.e. neutral.

Litmus Solution

Litmus basically is a plant belongs to Thallophyta, and in chemical experiment, it is commonly used as an indicator.

The substances, which odor changes in acidic or basic media, are known as olfactory indicators.

Acid or Base in a Water Solution

The hydrogen ions in HCl are produced because of the presence of water. Secondly, the separation of H+ ion from the HCl molecules cannot be done in the absence of water. The chemical formula is illustrated below

HCl + H2O → H3O+ + Cl–

Furthermore, hydrogen ions cannot exist alone, but they can exist in presence of water molecules. Therefore, hydrogen ions are shown as H+(aq) or hydronium ion (H3O+). The chemical formula is −

H+ + H2O → H3O+

The bases which are soluble in water are known as alkalis. But all bases are not soluble in water.

If water is added to a concentrated acid, then the heat is generated.

Mixing an acid or base with the water results into decrease in the concentration of ions (i.e. H3O+/OH–) per unit volume and the process is known as dilution.

pH Scale

A scale, used in measuring the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution, is known as pH scale.

The ‘p’ in pH stands for ‘potenz’, it is a German term, which means ‘power’.

pH value is taken simply as a number, which indicates the acidic or basic nature of a solution. So, if the concentration of hydronium ion is higher, then the value of pH would be lower.

The value of pH scale ranges between ‘0’ and ’14;’ so, if pH value is measured ‘0,’ it means – it is very acidic and if it is 14, then it means – it very alkaline.

The neutral value of pH scale is ‘7’.

On a pH scale, values less than 7 represent an acidic solution and values greater than 7 represent a basic solution.

Usually, paper impregnated with the common indicator is used for measuring the pH (see the image given below)−

pH Scale

Likewise, the strength of acids and bases substance mainly depends on the number of H+ ions and OH– ions produced, respectively.

The following image roughly illustrates (variations in color) the pH value of some of the common substances −

pH Value

Importance of pH in Everyday Life

The pH value of a human body ranges between 7.0 and 7.8.

The stomach of a human body produces hydrochloric acid that helps in the digestion of food; surprisingly, it does not harm the stomach anyway.

However, when the stomach produces too much acid (known as indigestion), it causes pain and irritation. To get relief from this pain, doctors suggest the use of bases known as antacids.

These antacids neutralize and control the increased amount of acid.

The teeth, which are made up of calcium phosphate, is the hardest substance in the body. However, when the pH in the mouth decreases (below 5.5), it corrodes the teeth.

The salt, normally, is formed by the combination of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide solution; and, the combination is known as sodium chloride.

When the pH value of rain water is measured as less than 5.6, it is known as acid rain.

When acid rain flows into the rivers, then it also lowers the pH of the river water

The acidic river water is threat for the survival of aquatic life.

Bleaching Powder

Bleaching powder is produced by the action of chlorine on dry slaked lime [Ca(OH)2] and it is represented as CaOCl2.

Bleaching powder is normally used in textile industry, paper factory, chemical industry, and disinfecting the drinking water.

Baking Soda

The baking soda is commonly used in the kitchen in order to cook tasty crispy food items. It also cooks some food items faster.

The chemical name of baking soda is sodium hydrogencarbonate and formula is NaHCO3.

Washing Soda

Recrystallization of sodium carbonate results into washing soda.

The chemical formula of washing soda is Na2CO3.10H2O.

Washing soda is commonly used in glass, soap, and paper industries.

Plaster of Paris

Plaster of Paris is a white powder that doctors use as plaster for supporting fractured bones.

Materials: Metals and Non-Metals 1

Introduction

The metals can be distinguished from the non-metals on the basis of their chemical and physical properties.

The property of metals by which they can be beaten into thin sheets is known as malleability.

The property of metal by which it can be drawn into wires is known as ductility.

The metals are normally hard, malleable, lustrous, ductile, sonorous, and good conductors of heat and electricity. E.g. iron, copper, calcium, aluminum, magnesium, etc.

Metal_Nonmetal

The materials, which are not sonorous and are poor conductors of heat and electricity, are known as non-metals. E.g. sulphur, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, etc.

Some metals, such as sodium and potassium are soft and can be cut with a knife.

Mercury is the only metal, which remains in liquid state at room temperature.

When sulphur dioxide is dissolved in water, sulphurous acid is formed. Illustration - Sulphur dioxide (SO2) + Water (H2O) → Sulphurous acid (H2SO3).

Oxides of non-metals are acidic in nature.

The sulphurous acid changes blue litmus paper red.

Phosphorus is a very reactive non-metal and it catches fire whenever exposed to air.

To prevent the contact of phosphorus with atmospheric oxygen, Phosphorus is stored in water.

On burning, metals easily react with oxygen and produce metal oxides, these are basic in nature.

Non-metals react with oxygen and produce non- metallic oxides; these are acidic in nature.

Some metals react with water and produce metal hydroxides and hydrogen gas.

Nonmetals normally do not react with water.

Metals also react with acids and produce hydrogen gas and metal salts.

Non-metals normally do not react with acids.

Uses of Metals and Nonmetals

Metals are used in making machinery, airplanes, automobiles, trains, satellites, industrial gadgets, cooking utensils, water boilers, etc.

Non-metals are used in fertilizers to improve the growth of plants.

Non-metal are used in water purification.

Non-metals are used in crackers.

Formation of Esters

When esters react in the presence of an acid or a base, it gives back the alcohol and carboxylic acid.

The reaction of esters with an acid or a base, is known as saponification because it is used in the preparation of soap.

The molecules of soap normally are sodium or potassium salts of long-chain carboxylic acids.

Interestingly, the ionic-end of soap dissolves in water whereas the carbon chain dissolves in oil. This typical features of the soap molecules forms structures known as micelles (see the image given below)

Micelles

In micelles, one end of the molecules is towards the oil droplet whereas the ionic-end remains outside.

The soap micelle helps in dissolving the dirt in water; likewise, the clothes get cleaned.

On the other hand, detergents are usually ammonium or sulphonate salts of long chain carboxylic acids, which remain effective even in hard watertop.

eriodic Classification Of Elements

Introduction

There are about 115 elements have been known to us till today.

Based on their properties, all the elements are arranged in order, known as periodic table.

Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner, a German scientist, first attempted to arrange the elements in 1817.

John Newlands, an English scientist, also attempted to arrange the then known elements (in 1866).

John Newlands had followed the order of increasing atomic masses to arrange the elements.

Newlands started with the element having the lowest atomic mass (such as hydrogen) and ended at thorium, which was the 56th element (at his time).

John Newland

Newlands’ arrangement of elements is known as “Law of Octaves,” as in his arrangement every eight element had the properties similar to that of the first. E.g. the properties of lithium and sodium were found to be the same.

Sa (do) re (re) Ga (mi) Ma (fa) Pa (so) da (la) ni (ti)

H Li Be B C N O

F Na Mg Al Si P S

Cl K Ca Cr Ti Mn Fe

Co & Ni Cu Zn Y In As Se

Br Rb Sr Ce & La Zr

Newlands also compared it with the octaves that found in music (see the table given above).

In the Indian music, the seven musical notes are – sa, re, ga, ma, pa, da, ni; however, in the west, the musical notes are – do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti.

Further, in order to fit some elements into his Table, Newlands put two elements in the same cell (see the table given above – cobalt & nickel kept in same cell), but this technique did not work, as they have different properties.

However, the law of octave had limitation, as was applicable up to calcium only; and, after calcium every eighth element had not the properties similar to that of the first.

Mendeléev’s Periodic Table

Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeléev, a Russian chemist, who successfully attempted to arrange the elements.

Mendeléev arranged the elements based on their (elements) fundamental property, the atomic mass, as well as on the similarity of chemical properties.

During the Mendeleev’s time, only 63 elements were known.

Mendeléev’s Periodic Table consists of vertical columns known as ‘groups’ and horizontal rows known as ‘periods.’

Mendeleev

Mendeléev’s Periodic Law states that

‘The properties of elements are the periodic function of their atomic masses’.

Mendeléev arranged the sequence in inverted fashion so that elements with similar properties could be grouped together.

Mendeléev left space for some elements, which were not discovered at that time; he boldly predicted about the existence of future elements.

One of the biggest limitation of Mendeléev’s Periodic formula is - no fixed position has been assigned to hydrogen in the Periodic Table.

Modern Periodic Table

In 1913, Henry Moseley, an English physicist discovered that the atomic number of an element is a more fundamental property in comparison to its atomic mass.

Based on Moseley’s discovery, Mendeléev’s Periodic Law was modified and atomic number was adopted as the basis of Modern Periodic Table.

The Modern Periodic Law states −

‘Properties of elements are a periodic function of their atomic number.’

18 vertical columns known as ‘groups’ and 7 horizontal rows known as ‘periods’ are defined in the Modern Periodic Table.

In Modern Periodic Table, the elements are arranged in such a way that it shows periodicity of properties such as atomic size, valency, or combining capacity and metallic and non-metallic characteristics (of elements).

In Modern Periodic Table, the metallic character decreases across a period and increases down the group.

On the other hand, non-metals are electronegative, as they tend to form bonds by gaining electrons.

Chemistry - Synthetic Fibres and Plastics

Introduction

The clothes that we wear are made up of fabrics and the fabrics are made from fibers, which is obtained from natural or artificial sources.

The natural source of fibers is cotton, wool, silk, etc., which are obtained from plants or animals.

The synthetic fibers are made by human beings; therefore, these are called synthetic or man-made fibers.

A synthetic fiber is usually a chain of small units those joined together; each small unit is a chemical substance.

Types of Synthetic Fibers

The artificial silk is usually known as Rayon.

Rayon (fiber) was obtained by chemical treatment of wood pulp.

The fiber, prepared from coal, water and air, is known as Nylon.

Rayon, Nylon

Nylon was the first fully synthetic fiber.

Polyester is also a synthetic fiber; it is wrinkle free fiber. E.g. Terylene.

PET is one of the familiar form of polyesters and it is used for making utensils, bottles, films, wires, and many other useful products.

Polyester (Poly + ester) is made up of the repeating units of a chemical known as an ester.

Plastic is also a sort of polymer like the synthetic fiber.

Polythene (Poly + ethene) is a common example of a plastic.

There are some plastics, which when molded once, cannot be softened by heating; therefore, these are known as thermosetting plastics. E.g. Bakelite and melamine.

Bakelite is a poor conductor of heat and electricity; therefore, it is used in making electrical switches, handles of various utensils, etc.

Melamine resists fire and can tolerate heat better than other plastics; therefore, it is used for making floor tiles, kitchenware, and fabrics.

A material, which gets decomposed through the natural processes, e.g. action by bacteria, is known as biodegradable.

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