Exploring Material Resources

Material Resources

• Material resources are natural materials used for productive human purposes, giving them financial value.
• Examples of material resources include wood, metals, plastics, and rubber.

Everyday Objects and Material Resources

• Utensils (e.g., knives, forks, spoons) are made from metals extracted from rocks in the ground.
• Metals found on Earth were originally formed in distant stars millions of years ago and then baked into our planet.
• Humans extract, purify, and shape metals using high temperatures to create utensils.

Wood as a Material Resource

• Wood is used to make furniture, including tables, chairs, shelves, and cabinets.
• Wood comes from trees, which have been used by humans for tens of thousands of years.
• Even particleboard is made from wood.

Plastics as a Material Resource

• Plastics are synthetic and organic materials that can be bent and molded easily.
• Plastics are made from long-chain molecules called polymers, created from natural materials.
• Examples of plastics include polyester, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene.
• Common names for plastics include vinyl, PVC, and Styrofoam.

Glass as a Material Resource

• Glass is a transparent solid made from silicon, the main element found in sand.
• Glass is used for windows, measuring jugs, light fixtures, vases, and drinking glasses.
• Glass is made by heating sand to high temperatures, forming a liquid that can be shaped using a template.