Name 2 synthetic materials and explain what natural resources were required to produce them
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1. Nylon: Nylon is a synthetic material derived from petrochemicals and requires crude oil or natural gas as the main natural resource for its production. The process of making nylon involves extracting hydrocarbons from petroleum and converting them into polymer fibers through a series of chemical reactions.
2. Polyester: Polyester is another common synthetic material that is made from petrochemicals obtained from crude oil or natural gas. The production of polyester involves extracting these raw materials and then subjecting them to a process called polymerization. This process involves linking various monomers together to form long chains of polymers, which ultimately result in polyester fibers or fabrics.
1. Nylon: Nylon is a synthetic material that was first developed in the 1930s. The production of nylon requires two main natural resources: petroleum and natural gas. These resources are used as feedstock during the manufacturing process of nylon. Petroleum is a fossil fuel that is refined to obtain various chemicals, including benzene and toluene, which are essential in producing nylon. Furthermore, natural gas is used as a source of heat and energy during the manufacturing process.
2. Polyester: Polyester is another commonly used synthetic material. It is produced from a combination of petroleum and natural gas. Petroleum acts as the primary raw material, providing the required chemicals, such as ethylene and propylene, for polyester production. Natural gas is used as an energy source during the manufacturing process, contributing to the high-temperature reactions needed to transform these chemical building blocks into polyester fibers or fabrics.