Materials and Their Properties

Study Notes

Materials are assessed based on their properties for suitability in making objects.
Lustre is a property observed in certain materials, particularly metals, which appear shiny when freshly cut.
Metals such as iron, copper, aluminium, and gold are typically shiny, though they can become dull due to environmental exposure.
Materials can be classified as opaque, transparent, or translucent, based on light transmission.
Properties like solubility (soluble vs. insoluble), texture (rough vs. smooth), and hardness (hard vs. soft) also determine material usage.

Freshly cut surfaces of materials can reveal lustre; this can be checked by cutting or rubbing surfaces with sandpaper.
Practical experiments can include adding different substances (sugar, salt) to water in glasses to observe reactions.
Grouping materials by properties simplifies studying their characteristics and identifying patterns.

Objects can be made from a single material or a combination of several types.
Selection of material for an object is often influenced by the material’s properties – e.g., a tumbler would be made from glass, plastic, or metal, while cooking vessels should avoid paper-like materials.

Consider everyday items made from specific materials, such as wood, plastic, or metal.
Identify shiny objects, like glass bowls and steel spoons, versus non-shiny items, like cotton shirts and plastic toys.

Grouping materials based on similarities in properties aids in organization and understanding.
Everyday materials such as paper, cardboard, wood, and metals can exhibit diverse properties, influencing their applications in daily life.