Changing the shape of materials

How to change the shape of a material

Materials don't just have a fixed shape, they can change.

It's possible to change the shape of some materials by doing the following actions:

Materials like glass need to be heated to help them change shape.

Other materials don't need to be heated, they just need force.

Some materials return to the shape they were after being stretched. We call these materials elastic, like rubber bands.

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Here's what you need to know about pushing, pulling, bending and stretching materials.

Glass is made from sand heated to a very high temperature.
The wings of an aeroplane are made to be flexible, they can bend as much as 17 feet.
Plastic sponges, which we use for cleaning and can be squashed, are man-made reproductions of the animal, the sea sponge.
A spider's silk is the stretchiest natural material on Earth.
Cars use metal springs to cushion the impact of the wheels on the road.
Metals like aluminium are easy to recycle which means we can use the material from old food and drink cans to make new ones.
Tin foil, which is both durable and flexible, was invented in 1910 to package food.
Hot air balloons change shape as they fill up with air, once the air is heated the balloon rises and can travel through the air.

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Rope
Rope is made of intertwined string and fabric, it's flexible but durable and strong when the strands are woven together.
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Dough
Dough is flexible so it can be kneaded into different sizes and shapes, which makes it perfect for baking food in different shapes and sizes.
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Paper clip
This paper clip is made from metal, which is malleable and can be bent into different shapes without breaking. Some can be made from plastic, which is durable but less malleable.
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Sponge
Sponges are often made from plastics like polyester. They can be squeezed and stretched into different shapes but will return to their original position.

When lightning strikes sand, it can naturally create glass due to its high temperature.

Bend – To shape or force something into a curve, like a paper clip.

Durable  – A material that is strong and difficult to damage, like stone.

Elastic – A material that returns to the shape it was after being stretched, like an elastic band.

Flexible – A material that can be moved and bent easily.

Force – Use of strength or high energy that can change a material's shape.

Malleable – A material that can be bent and shaped without breaking, like metal.

Stretch – A material that can be pulled apart without breaking, like a spring.

Squash – A material that can be forced to change shape, like a sponge.

Tin foil – Thin sheets of metal, often tin or aluminium, that is flexible and malleable.

Twist – A material that can be intertwined and spun around, like a rope.

Take a look around your home and write down a list of object that you can see.
Note whether they can be squashed, stretched, twisted or bent.
Explain why their shape can change in this way. You may need to find out what materials they are made from.

Can you find some materials which cannot have their shape changed?