Question

Paheli went to the market to buy sarees for her mother. She took out a thread from the edge of the two sarees shown by the shopkeeper and burnt them. One thread burnt with a smell of burning hair and the other burnt with the smell of burning paper. Which thread is from a pure cotton saree and which one from a pure silk saree? Give reason for your answer.​

Answer 1

• The silk fibre is obtained from the protein secreted by a silkworm. ​ Hair also contains protein. Therefore, if the burning smell of a thread is similar to the burning smell of hair, then that means the thread is pure silk. ​
• Cotton is a plant fibre that is obtained from the fruit of the plant. Paper is also a plant product. Therefore, if the burning smell of a thread is similar to that of the burning smell of paper, then that means the thread is pure cotton. ​