Final answer:
Synthetic materials are human-made from natural resources through chemical processes and tailored for specific uses, while natural resources are substances directly used from Earth. Both offer distinct physical and chemical properties important for various applications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between synthetic materials and natural resources lies in their origin. Synthetic materials are human-made and are often derived from natural resources through chemical processes. Natural resources, on the other hand, are substances that come directly from Earth and are used without being changed significantly by human intervention. Both synthetic materials and natural resources exhibit characteristic physical and chemical properties, defining their use and applications.
Pure substances, whether they are elements like iron, silver, and gold, or compounds such as water, have unique and constant physical and chemical properties. When these substances are mixed, you get a mixture that does not have consistent properties throughout.
Synthetic materials can be tailored for specific uses and often provide consistent and predictable performance in products and solutions, making them crucial in various industries. However, they sometimes require complex and resource-intensive processes to create, unlike natural resources, which may be used directly.