1/17/22

Start Topic
Recording!
5.3 Everyday
Materials
Lesson objectives
O To describe the physical properties of materials.
O Explain the advantages and disadvantages of these materials
O Choose suitable apparatus to collect evidence and test an idea

Keywords: Prediction Transparent

Absorbent Malleable Brittle Flexible
Control variables Opaque
What are physical properties?
O Physical properties are characteristics that
can be observed or measured without
changing the substance.

O It is important to know the different properties

as it helps us decide which material to use to
build a house.. Design a toy.. Or fix a broken
chair!
 Absorbent materials
O Some materials are absorbent. This means
liquids soak into them.

O Other materials do not absorb liquids.

O Look around your classroom. What materials

do you think are absorbent?
O What about around the house?
 Flexible vs. Brittle
O Materials that are flexible are easy to bend and will
not break when bent. Your clothes are flexible.

O Brittle material will break when you try to bend

them. Like dry biscuits!

O TASK: Write down three examples of materials

that are flexible and three examples of brittle
materials.
 Malleable
O These can be made into a new shape. They can
be squashed, flattened, or bent.
O Clay is an example of a malleable material. It
can be used to form many different shapes!
 Opaque vs Transparent
O Opaque: Light can not pass through
O Transparent: Light can pass through easily
O Translucent: half way in between. Allows
some light to pass through. e.g. nylon
shopping bags.

What are some advantages

and disadvantages of these
different properties?
 Investigations
As scientists we need to be
able to carry out experiments
to test ideas that we may
have.

We make a prediction, called

a hypothesis, and then design
a repeatable experiment to
test it.

We need to make sure we use

the correct equipment to
carry out our experiment.

Let’s look at the question in

Activity 5.5 together
 Applying your knowledge

Using knowledge you have gained from today’s

lesson answer the following questions
1) State if each of these materials is flexible, brittle
or malleable
a) Glass jug b) Plastic drinking straw c) Wooden pencil

2) Name a material that has these physical properties

a) Flexible and absorbent b) Hard and brittle c) Malleable and flexible

3) Glass is not always transparent. Explain why this

is true