Properties of Materials

Objects around us are made of different materials.

When choosing materials to make objects, we should consider both the user of the objects and the properties of the materials. 

Wood comes from trees.

Can you name some objects that are made from wood?

Rubber is made from the sap of rubber trees. Some examples of objects made of rubber are rubber bands, tyres and rubber gloves. What are some properties of rubber?

Fabrics can come from animals or plants. Wool and silk come from animals, while cotton comes from plants. Fabrics can also be man-made. Fabrics are used to make objects like curtains, clothes and bedsheets.

Plastics are made from oil obtained from the ground. Plastic is strong, light and does not break easily. 

Each material has its own characteristics or properties. These include strength, flexibility, transparency, ability to float or sink in water, and being waterproof.

• A strong material can support heavy weights without breaking easily, while a weak material breaks or tears easily.

• A flexible material is easily bent and somewhat returns to its original state after the bending force is removed. A stiff material is not easily bent, and breaks when we try to bend it.

• A waterproof material does not absorb water.

• A material can block light or allow light to pass through it.