Rayon is

Options

A. synthetic plastic
B. Artificial silk
C. Natural silk
D. Natural rubber

Answer

To determine what rayon is, we can analyze the options given: synthetic plastic, artificial silk, natural silk, and natural rubber.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Rayon**:
- Rayon is a type of fiber that is classified as a man-made or semi-synthetic fiber. It is derived from natural sources, primarily cellulose, which is found in plant materials.

2. **Processing of Rayon**:
- The production of rayon begins with cellulose, which is treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and a small amount of chlorine. This process converts cellulose into a viscous solution known as viscose.
- The viscose is then treated with dilute sulfuric acid (H2SO4), which regenerates the cellulose in the form of rayon.

3. **Classification of Rayon**:
- Since rayon is derived from cellulose and involves a chemical process to produce a fiber, it is considered a man-made fiber.
- It is often referred to as "artificial silk" due to its smooth texture and appearance that resembles silk.

4. **Eliminating Other Options**:
- Rayon is not a synthetic plastic, as it is not made from synthetic polymers.
- It is not natural silk, as natural silk is produced by silkworms without any chemical processing.
- Rayon is also not natural rubber, which is derived from rubber trees.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the above analysis, the correct classification of rayon is **artificial silk**.

### Final Answer:
Rayon is **artificial silk**.

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