Transparent → windows. Also waterproof but brittle.
Strong, conducts electricity and heat → wires, pans.
Flexible and waterproof → tyres, wellies.
Learn the Properties
1Describe with property words.
Hard/soft, flexible/rigid, transparent/opaque, waterproof, magnetic, conductor/insulator of heat or electricity.
2Test fairly to compare.
To find the most waterproof fabric, change ONLY the fabric — same water, same time. A fair test.
3Choose for the purpose.
A window needs to be transparent AND waterproof → glass. A wire needs to conduct electricity → metal.
Worked Example
Why is a saucepan made of metal with a plastic handle?
Watch Out! Common Mistakes
Depends on the job! Metal conducts heat — great for a pan, terrible for a handle. The right material depends on the property needed.
Change one thing only! To compare materials fairly, keep everything else the same — same amount of water, same time, same conditions.
Different! Transparent = see clearly through (glass); translucent = lets light through but blurry (frosted glass); opaque = no light through (wood).
⬇ Cheat Sheet
- Describe with property words: hard, flexible, transparent, waterproof.
- Metals conduct heat and electricity; most non-metals insulate.
- Compare materials with a fair test (change one thing).
- Choose the material to match the purpose.
📖 Continue Your Journey
Quick summary
- Materials have properties: hardness, flexibility, transparency, waterproofing.
- Metals conduct heat and electricity; most non-metals are insulators.
- Compare materials with a fair test — change only one thing.
- Choose materials to match the job's needs.
Frequently asked questions
What is a conductor and an insulator?
A conductor lets heat or electricity pass through easily (metals); an insulator resists it (plastic, wood, rubber). That's why wires are metal and plug casings are plastic.
Why does a saucepan have a plastic handle?
The metal pan conducts heat to cook food, but the plastic handle is a heat insulator so it stays cool enough to hold safely.
What is a fair test?
A test where you change only one thing (the material) and keep everything else the same, so any difference in the result is due to that one change.
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