Final answer:
The two most common special types of materials in chemistry are composites, like fiberglass, which is strong and ductile, and polymers, which are made up of repeating molecular subunits and are used to make everyday objects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Two of the most common special types of materials you will encounter are composites and polymers. Composites are engineered materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties. One of the most familiar composites is fiberglass, which consists of small glass fibers embedded within a polymeric material, combining the strength and stiffness of glass with the ductility of the polymer.
Polymers, on the other hand, are substances made up of large molecules composed of many repeating subunits. Common polymers include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride, which make up a variety of everyday objects.
Both composites and polymers exhibit a synergy that provides material properties unavailable from the individual constituent materials, making them essential in various applications.