JEE Main 2022 · 29 July · evening · Single correct · +4 / −1
Which of the following is NOT a natural polymer?
- (a) Protein
- (b) Starch
- (c) Rubber
- (d) Rayon
Answer and solution
Answer (d) Rayon
Solution
Chemistry ma’am · 3 steps
Ask where each polymer comes from: rayon is made in a factory from cellulose, so it is not natural.
- Natural polymer. A natural polymer is made by a plant or an animal and used as found. A polymer that is chemically treated or built in a laboratory is semi-synthetic or synthetic.
Polymer Where it comes from Type Protein Living cells, made from amino acids natural Starch Plants, made from glucose units natural Rubber Latex of the rubber tree, cis-1,4-polyisoprene natural Rayon Cellulose (wood pulp) chemically dissolved and regenerated as fibres semi-synthetic - Why rayon differs. Rayon begins as natural cellulose, but it only becomes a fibre after chemical processing. That treatment makes it semi-synthetic, which is why it is also called artificial silk.
- So. Protein, starch and natural rubber all come straight from living things. Rayon is the one that is not a natural polymer, so the answer is (d).
The idea to keep. Natural means a living thing made it and we use it as it is. If a natural polymer like cellulose is chemically processed first, as in rayon, it becomes semi-synthetic.
Answer from the NTA final answer key. Solution by PrepWiser.