Final answer:
A new material created from combined substances with different properties is typically called a polymer, not a plastic. Polymers include both naturally occurring and synthetic substances, and are used widely in many applications. Plastics are a subset of polymers that are moldable and are often synthetic, derived from petrochemicals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Polymers and Plastics
When two or more substances are combined to produce a new material with different properties, the result is not always called a plastic. Instead, such new materials are often giant molecules known as polymers. Polymers consist of many repeating units called monomers and are formed through a process of polymerization. Not all polymers are plastics, but all plastics are a subset of polymers with the property of being moldable. Polymers are present in various applications, such as corrective eye lenses, plastic containers, and clothing.
Polymers can be natural or synthetic; for example, starch is a natural polymer composed of sugar residues, while synthetic polymers include polyethylene and PVC. Adding functional groups to a polymer can drastically change its properties, leading to a wide range of uses. Recycling plastics can help minimize environmental damage and the use of more petrochemical supplies, as most common plastics are not biodegradable.
It's also worth noting that composite materials are different from polymers; they are made from two or more substances with different properties that, when combined, produce a material with different characteristics.