How to identify materials

Materials have different properties that make them useful for different jobs.

Metals

Most metals are strong, hard and shiny materials that can be hammered into different shapes without breaking. They are good conductors of heat and electricity and some are magnetic. Their properties make them useful for objects such as cutlery, saucepans, cars and coins.

Plastics

Plastics are materials made from chemicals and are not found in nature. They are strong and waterproof. They can be made into any shape by applying heat. Plastics are not magnetic. They are good insulators and don't conduct heat or electricity. They're used to make things like bags, bottles and toys.

Glass

Glass is made by melting sand and other minerals together at very high temperatures. It is normally transparent and can be made into different shapes. Thick glass can be strong, but thin glass breaks easily. It’s used for objects that need to be transparent, such as windows and spectacles.

Wood

Wood comes from trees. It is strong, flexible and long-lasting. It is an insulator of heat and electricity. It’s used to make things such as furniture.

Fabrics

Fabrics are made from thin fibres woven together. Different fabrics have different properties. They can be stretchy (a pair of tights), insulating (a woollen coat) or absorbent (a towel). Fabrics are used to make clothes as they are flexible, warm and do not wear out easily.

Properties describe how a material behaves, and explain why it is well suited for a particular use. For example, metal has a high melting point (this is a property of most metals) so it is good to use to make a frying pan (this is the use of the material).

Some properties are really obvious but other properties might be less familiar:

You will need a paper and pen for this activity.

• Make a list of some objects you can see around you.
• Write down what material is used to make each object.
• Explain why that material is used, think about the properties of that material.