Properties of Materials

8.2  Properties of Materials
 
  • Materials have various properties, such as:
  1. Ability to absorb water
  2. Ability to float on the surface of water
  3. The elasticity of the material
  4. Electrical conductors and insulators
  5. Heat conductors and insulators
  6. Ability to allow light to pass through
 
  • Ability to absorb water
  1. Water-absorbent materials become wet when exposed to water. Water will be absorbed by the water-absorbing material when water is dropped on it.
  2. Materials that do not absorb water are called waterproof materials. Water will remain on the waterproof material when water is dripped on it.
Absorb water Waterproof
  • Cotton
  • Paper/tissue
  • Sponge
  • Metal
  • Rubber
  • Plastic
  • Rock
  • Leather goods
 
  • Ability to float on the surface of water
  1. There are materials that can float on the surface of the water and sink in water. 
Floating on the water Sink in water
  • Pencil (wood)
  • Ice cream sticks (wood)
  • Ruler (plastic)
  • Straw (plastik)
  • Marble (glass)
  • Key (metal)
  • Eraser (rubber)
  • Rock (soil)
 
  • The elasticity of the material
  1. The ability of a material to return to its original state after being pulled, squeezed or stretched
Elastic material Non-elastic material
  • Rubber (balloons, rubber bands)
  • Spring
  • Wood (ice cream sticks, pencils)
  • Metal (nails)
  • Plastic (spoon, straw)
  • Glass
 
  • Electrical conductors and insulators
  1. Electrical conductor is a material that can conduct an electric current.
  2. Electrical insulator is a material that cannot conduct electricity.
Electrical conductor Electrical insulator
  • Metal
  • Wood
  • Plastic
  • Glass
  • Leather
 
  • Heat conductors and insulators
  1. Heat conductor is a material that allows heat to flow through it well and quickly.
  2. Heat insulator is a material that does not allow heat to pass through it well.
Heat conductor Heat insulator
  • Metal
  • Plastic
  • Rubber
  • Glass
 
  • Ability to allow light to pass through
  1. A transparent material is a material that allows light to pass through it
  2. A translucent material is a material that allows some light to pass through it
  3. An opaque material is a material that blocks light through it
Transparent Translucent Opaque
  • Glass
  • Clear plastic
  • Foggy glass
  • Gauze
  • Tracing paper
  • Colored plastic
  • Wood
  • Metal
  • Some plastic
 
Applications of properties of materials
  • Knowledge of the properties of a material is important in creating an object
  • Choosing a suitable type of material will ensure proper functioning of the created objects
  • Steps in creating a model by applying knowledge of the properties of materials:
  1. Identifying the problems
  2. Generating the ideas
  3. Sketching of the idea
  4. Preparing the apparatus and materials
  5. Building the model
 
 

Properties of Materials

8.2  Properties of Materials
 
  • Materials have various properties, such as:
  1. Ability to absorb water
  2. Ability to float on the surface of water
  3. The elasticity of the material
  4. Electrical conductors and insulators
  5. Heat conductors and insulators
  6. Ability to allow light to pass through
 
  • Ability to absorb water
  1. Water-absorbent materials become wet when exposed to water. Water will be absorbed by the water-absorbing material when water is dropped on it.
  2. Materials that do not absorb water are called waterproof materials. Water will remain on the waterproof material when water is dripped on it.
Absorb water Waterproof
  • Cotton
  • Paper/tissue
  • Sponge
  • Metal
  • Rubber
  • Plastic
  • Rock
  • Leather goods
 
  • Ability to float on the surface of water
  1. There are materials that can float on the surface of the water and sink in water. 
Floating on the water Sink in water
  • Pencil (wood)
  • Ice cream sticks (wood)
  • Ruler (plastic)
  • Straw (plastik)
  • Marble (glass)
  • Key (metal)
  • Eraser (rubber)
  • Rock (soil)
 
  • The elasticity of the material
  1. The ability of a material to return to its original state after being pulled, squeezed or stretched
Elastic material Non-elastic material
  • Rubber (balloons, rubber bands)
  • Spring
  • Wood (ice cream sticks, pencils)
  • Metal (nails)
  • Plastic (spoon, straw)
  • Glass
 
  • Electrical conductors and insulators
  1. Electrical conductor is a material that can conduct an electric current.
  2. Electrical insulator is a material that cannot conduct electricity.
Electrical conductor Electrical insulator
  • Metal
  • Wood
  • Plastic
  • Glass
  • Leather
 
  • Heat conductors and insulators
  1. Heat conductor is a material that allows heat to flow through it well and quickly.
  2. Heat insulator is a material that does not allow heat to pass through it well.
Heat conductor Heat insulator
  • Metal
  • Plastic
  • Rubber
  • Glass
 
  • Ability to allow light to pass through
  1. A transparent material is a material that allows light to pass through it
  2. A translucent material is a material that allows some light to pass through it
  3. An opaque material is a material that blocks light through it
Transparent Translucent Opaque
  • Glass
  • Clear plastic
  • Foggy glass
  • Gauze
  • Tracing paper
  • Colored plastic
  • Wood
  • Metal
  • Some plastic
 
Applications of properties of materials
  • Knowledge of the properties of a material is important in creating an object
  • Choosing a suitable type of material will ensure proper functioning of the created objects
  • Steps in creating a model by applying knowledge of the properties of materials:
  1. Identifying the problems
  2. Generating the ideas
  3. Sketching of the idea
  4. Preparing the apparatus and materials
  5. Building the model