What is a synthetic substance?

A synthetic substance is defined as an artificial material that is created through chemical processes rather than being naturally occurring. This often involves the manipulation of chemical compounds to produce new materials with specific properties and functionalities, such as plastics, synthetic fibers, and pharmaceuticals. The creation of synthetic substances generally aims to improve upon natural materials or to create something entirely new that does not exist in nature. Examples include substances like nylon and polyester, which do not have a direct counterpart in the natural environment.

The other choices refer to substances that either already exist in nature, like naturally occurring minerals, or are specific categories that do not encompass the broader definition of synthetic substances. The mention of bi-products links to substances created as secondary outcomes of chemical reactions but does not define them as synthetic. Organic compounds could include both natural and synthetic origins; thus, they are not unique to the category of synthetic substances.