Question

unit 1: materials science. explain the common characteristics that all synthetic materials share. in your response, describe (1)where they come from, (2)what process they go through, and (3)why they are created. provide specific details to support your explanation and give examples. you should have at least 3 complete sentences. use your book!

Explanation:

Synthetic materials are man - made substances. They come from raw materials like petroleum, natural gas, or coal (answer to (1)). The process involves chemical reactions such as polymerization, where monomers are combined to form polymers (answer to (2)). They are created to meet specific needs like durability, flexibility, or cost - effectiveness. For example, polyester is a synthetic fiber used in clothing. It is created through a chemical process from petroleum products. It is durable, wrinkle - resistant, and less expensive than natural fibers in many cases. Another example is plastic, which is made from fossil fuels through processes like addition or condensation polymerization. Plastics are used widely in packaging, construction, and consumer goods due to their versatility.

Answer:

(1) Synthetic materials come from raw materials like petroleum, natural gas, or coal. (2) The process often involves chemical reactions such as polymerization. (3) They are created to meet specific needs like durability, flexibility, or cost - effectiveness, e.g., polyester in clothing and plastics in various applications.