Willer Academy
Nation Builders Through Education | Founded by Er. Rahul Kumar Dubey Sir
Chapter 3: Fibre to Fabric
Subject: Science (Chemistry/Biology)
Class: 7
Series: Base Builder for Moderate to Hard
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you, the future scientist and nation-builder, will be able to:
- Understand different types of fibres and their sources
- Describe the process of making fabric from fibres
- Explain the history of clothing materials
- Compare natural and synthetic fibres
- Solve numerical problems related to fibre production and fabric making
- Apply knowledge to real-life situations in the textile industry
3.1 Introduction: From Fibre to Fabric
Have you ever wondered how the clothes you wear are made? The journey from raw materials to the fabric we use for clothing is fascinating. In this chapter, we'll explore how fibres are transformed into fabrics through various processes.
Quick Check
Look at the labels on three different clothing items you own. What fibres are they made from? Where do these fibres come from?
3.2 Types of Fibres
Fibres can be classified into two main categories based on their origin:
1. Natural Fibres: Obtained from natural sources
- Plant fibres: Cotton, jute, flax (linen), coir
- Animal fibres: Wool (from sheep), silk (from silkworms)
2. Synthetic Fibres: Man-made fibres produced from chemicals
- Examples: Nylon, polyester, acrylic, rayon
- Characteristics: Strong, durable, quick drying
Cotton
Soft, fluffy fibre that grows in a boll around the seeds of the cotton plant.
Wool
Fibre derived from the fur of animals, primarily sheep.
Silk
Natural protein fibre obtained from silkworm cocoons.
Task 1
Collect samples of different types of fabrics (cotton, wool, silk, polyester). Examine them under a magnifying glass and note the differences in texture, strength, and appearance.
3.3 From Fibre to Yarn
The process of converting fibres into yarn involves several steps:
The Yarn Making Process
Above: Process of converting fibre to yarn
Steps of Yarn Production:
- Ginning: Separating cotton fibres from seeds
- Spinning: Twisting fibres together to form yarn
- Weaving/Knitting: Converting yarn into fabric
Numerical & Application 1: Spinning Efficiency
- Scenario: A spinning machine can produce 150 meters of yarn in 5 minutes.
- Problem: How many meters of yarn will it produce in 3 hours? If each shirt requires 2 meters of fabric, and each meter of fabric requires 100 meters of yarn, how many shirts can be made from the yarn produced in 3 hours?
- Solution:
- Yarn produced per minute = 150 m / 5 min = 30 m/min
- Yarn in 3 hours (180 min) = 30 × 180 = 5,400 meters
- Fabric produced = 5,400 m yarn / 100 m yarn per m fabric = 54 meters
- Number of shirts = 54 m fabric / 2 m per shirt = 27 shirts
This shows how the textile industry calculates production efficiency!
3.4 From Yarn to Fabric
There are two main methods of converting yarn into fabric:
1. Weaving: The process of interlacing two sets of yarns at right angles
- Done on looms
- Produces fabrics like denim, canvas, and cotton shirts
2. Knitting: The process of making fabric by forming loops of yarn
- Done with knitting needles or machines
- Produces stretchable fabrics like T-shirts and sweaters
| Aspect | Weaving | Knitting |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Interlacing two sets of yarns | Forming loops with yarn |
| Stretchability | Less stretchable | More stretchable |
| Uses | Shirts, trousers, denim | T-shirts, sweaters, socks |
Task 2: Weaving Activity
Create a simple loom using cardboard. Cut notches at the top and bottom of a piece of cardboard. Thread vertical "warp" yarns through these notches. Then weave horizontal "weft" yarns through the warp yarns to create a small woven fabric sample.
3.5 History of Clothing
The materials used for clothing have evolved significantly throughout human history:
- Ancient Times: People used animal skins and furs to protect themselves from weather
- Discovery of Natural Fibres: Learned to use cotton, flax, wool, and silk
- Industrial Revolution: Invention of spinning jenny and power loom revolutionized textile production
- Modern Era: Development of synthetic fibres and advanced manufacturing techniques
Numerical & Application 2: Historical Textile Production
- Scenario: In ancient times, a weaver could produce 2 meters of fabric in a day. During the industrial revolution, a power loom could produce 50 meters of fabric in a day.
- Problem: How many ancient weavers would be needed to match the production of one power loom? If a power loom operates for 25 days a month, how much fabric does it produce monthly?
- Solution:
- Ancient weavers needed = 50 m / 2 m per weaver = 25 weavers
- Monthly production = 50 m/day × 25 days = 1,250 meters
This shows how technology revolutionized textile production!
Section B: MCQ Challenge (20 Questions)
Test your knowledge and find where you need to improve!
1. Which of these is a synthetic fibre?
a) Cotton
b) Jute
c) Nylon
d) Silk
2. The process of separating cotton fibres from seeds is called:
a) Spinning
b) Ginning
c) Weaving
d) Knitting
3. Which animal is wool commonly obtained from?
a) Goat
b) Sheep
c) Camel
d) All of these
Answers: 1-c, 2-b, 3-d, 4-a, 5-c, 6-b, 7-d, 8-a, 9-c, 10-b, 11-a, 12-d, 13-b, 14-c, 15-a, 16-d, 17-b, 18-c, 19-a, 20-d
Section C: Answer in Detail (For Answer Writing Practice)
Q1. Describe the journey of cotton from field to fabric, explaining each step in detail.
Hint: Include cultivation, harvesting, ginning, spinning, and weaving.
Q2. Differentiate between natural and synthetic fibres with examples. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Hint: Consider sources, properties, environmental impact, and uses.
Q3. Explain the process of silk production from silkworms to silk fabric.
Hint: Include sericulture, reeling, and weaving processes.
Section D: Tackle These! (Higher Order Thinking Skills - HOTS)
Q1. If you were to design an eco-friendly textile industry for Willer Academy's community project, what materials and processes would you choose and why?
Think about: Sustainable resources, energy efficiency, and waste management.
Q2. How has the development of synthetic fibres impacted our daily lives and the environment? What are the sustainable alternatives?
Think about: Convenience, microplastic pollution, and recycling options.
Q3. Design an experiment to compare the water absorption capacity of different fabrics (cotton, polyester, wool, and nylon). What materials would you need and how would you conduct the experiment?
Think about: Controlled variables, measurement techniques, and data recording.
Section B: MCQ Challenge (20 Questions)
Test your knowledge and find where you need to improve!
1. Which of these is a synthetic fibre?
a) Cotton
b) Jute
c) Nylon
d) Silk
2. The process of separating cotton fibres from seeds is called:
a) Spinning
b) Ginning
c) Weaving
d) Knitting
3. Which animal is wool commonly obtained from?
a) Goat
b) Sheep
c) Camel
d) All of these
4. Silk fibres are obtained from:
a) Silkworm cocoon
b) Sheep
c) Cotton plant
d) Jute stem
5. The process of twisting fibres to make yarn is called:
a) Ginning
b) Weaving
c) Spinning
d) Knitting
6. Jute fibre is obtained from which part of the jute plant?
a) Seeds
b) Stem
c) Leaves
d) Roots
7. Which of the following is NOT a natural fibre?
a) Wool
b) Silk
c) Nylon
d) Cotton
8. Which of the following fibres is known as “artificial silk”?
a) Rayon
b) Nylon
c) Acrylic
d) Polyester
9. The process of making fabric by interlacing two sets of yarns is called:
a) Spinning
b) Knitting
c) Weaving
d) Ginning
10. Which fibre is the strongest natural fibre?
a) Wool
b) Silk
c) Cotton
d) Jute
11. Polyester is a:
a) Synthetic fibre
b) Natural fibre
c) Mineral fibre
d) Blended fibre
12. Which process is used to make sweaters and socks?
a) Weaving
b) Ginning
c) Spinning
d) Knitting
13. Which of the following fibres is obtained from plants?
a) Nylon
b) Cotton
c) Wool
d) Silk
14. Which fibre is commonly used to make gunny bags?
a) Cotton
b) Silk
c) Jute
d) Nylon
15. Which fibre is obtained from the fleece of animals?
a) Wool
b) Nylon
c) Rayon
d) Polyester
16. The first fully synthetic fibre made by humans was:
a) Rayon
b) Acrylic
c) Nylon
d) Polyester
17. Which of these is a protein fibre?
a) Cotton
b) Silk
c) Nylon
d) Polyester
18. Cotton is mainly grown in:
a) Cold and wet regions
b) Hot and dry regions
c) Hot and humid regions
d) Snowy regions
19. Which of the following is a thermoplastic fibre?
a) Cotton
b) Wool
c) Nylon
d) Jute
20. Which fibre has the highest water absorbing capacity?
a) Polyester
b) Wool
c) Cotton
d) Nylon
Answers: 1-c, 2-b, 3-d, 4-a, 5-c, 6-b, 7-c, 8-a, 9-c, 10-b, 11-a, 12-d, 13-b, 14-c, 15-a, 16-c, 17-b, 18-c, 19-c, 20-c
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