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Basic 3 · Science · Materials

Materials and Their Uses

In this topic you will link the uses of everyday materials to their properties.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Name properties of common materials
  • Explain why materials are chosen for certain uses
  • Choose a suitable material for a job

What you already know

  • Properties of materials (Basic 2)

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Diversity Of Matter
Sub-strand
Materials
Indicator
B3.1.2.1.1 – Identify the uses of everyday materials and link the uses to their properties

Introduction

Cooking pots are made of metal, not plastic. Windows are made of glass, not wood. Why? Because of their properties.

1. Materials, Properties and Uses

Why we use these materials
MaterialPropertyUse
glasstransparentwindows, cups
metalstrong, lets heat throughcooking pots, nails
woodstrong, easy to cuttables, doors
plasticlight, waterproofbuckets, bottles
rubberbendable, waterproofslippers, tyres
clothsoft, bends easilyclothes, curtains
A metal pot, glass window, wooden table, plastic bucket and rubber slippers
Figure 1: Materials chosen for their properties Draw three objects and write the property that makes each material suitable.Illustration: Sirbus

2. Choosing the Right Material

Example

Why is a raincoat made of plastic, not paper?

  1. A raincoat must keep water out.
  2. Plastic is waterproof; paper gets soaked.

Answer: Plastic is suitable because it is waterproof.

New words

property
What a material is like.
suitable
Right for the job.
waterproof
Does not let water through.
transparent
Lets light through so we can see.

Summary

  • Each material has properties.
  • We choose materials because of their properties.
  • Metal pots let heat through; glass windows are transparent.

Class activity: Right Material

  1. Look at the wood, metal spoon and plastic bottle.
  2. Say one property and one use of each.
  3. Choose the best material for a cup, a table and a raincoat.

You need: Wood offcut, Metal spoon, Clear plastic bottle

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. Why are windows made of glass?

    • A. It is transparent
    • B. It is soft
    • C. It is bendable
    • D. It is heavy
    Show answer
    Answer: It is transparentWe see through glass.

  2. 2. Which material is best for a cooking pot?

    • A. Metal
    • B. Paper
    • C. Cloth
    • D. Plastic
    Show answer
    Answer: MetalMetal lets heat through and does not burn.

  3. 3. Rubber is used for slippers because it bends.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueIt is bendable and waterproof.

  4. 4. Paper is a good material for an umbrella.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalsePaper is not waterproof.

  5. 5. A material that does not let water through is ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: waterproofThat is waterproof.

  6. 6. Why are buckets often made of plastic?

    Show answer
    Answer: Plastic is light and waterproof.Properties suit the use.

Homework

  1. Find five objects at home. Write the material and why it was chosen.