MCQ Detailed View

Neoprene is one of the earliest synthetic rubbers developed by chemists to replace natural rubber in industrial and commercial applications. Natural rubber is obtained from the latex of rubber trees and has limitations such as poor resistance to oil, ozone, and certain chemicals. To overcome these issues, scientists developed neoprene, which is formed by the polymerization of a compound called chloroprene (2-chloro-1,3-butadiene).

Neoprene is classified as synthetic rubber because it is man-made and does not occur naturally. Its chemical structure provides it with excellent stability and resistance to many degrading factors such as weather, sunlight, oil, and certain chemicals. These properties make neoprene superior to natural rubber in many applications.

It is important to understand why the other options are not correct:

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  Natural rubber is derived from plants and consists of polyisoprene, not neoprene.

  
  


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  Vulcanized rubber is natural rubber treated with sulfur to improve elasticity and strength. While neoprene has similar durability, it is produced by a completely different chemical process.

  
  


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  All of the above is not correct because neoprene is specifically synthetic rubber only.

  
  

Neoprene is widely used in manufacturing wetsuits, hoses, belts, gaskets, gloves, adhesives, and electrical insulation because of its excellent resistance to temperature changes, water, and chemicals. Its fire resistance and flexibility also make it valuable in safety equipment and protective clothing.

In summary, neoprene is neither natural nor vulcanized rubber. It is a synthetic rubber that revolutionized industrial materials due to its durability and versatility. Thus, the correct answer is Synthetic rubber.