(a) What are petrochemicals? Name any two petrochemicals.
(b) Why are petro-chemicals so important?


(a) The fossil fuel such as petroleum is formed from the dead animals under the sea. As these organisms died, their bodies settled at the bottom of the sea. They got covered with layers of sand and clay. Over millions of years, in the absence of air, with high temperature and high pressure, these the dead organisms were transformed into petroleum and natural gas. Many useful substances are obtained from petroleum and natural gas. These are termed as ‘Petrochemicals’.

These are used in the manufacture of detergents, fibres such as polyester, nylon, acrylic etc., polythene and other man-made plastics.

(b) Petrochemicals are used in the manufacture of detergents, fibers such as polyester, nylon, acrylic etc., polythene and other man-made plastics. Hydrogen gas obtained from natural gas is used in the production of fertilizers such as urea. Due to its great commercial importance, petroleum is also called ‘black gold’. 

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Updated on: 10-Oct-2022

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