A material is the substance that objects are made from such as wood, metal or plastic.

The physical properties of a material are the features that can be observed or measured.

Transparent materials let light pass through so you can see clearly through them.

An electrical conductor is a material that allows electricity to pass through it easily.

Magnetic materials are materials that are attracted to magnets.

Properties of materials

Science

In this Properties, changes and separating materials unit, pupils learn to decide how mixtures might be separated, including through filtering, sieving and evaporating. In the Materials challenge unit, they will build on this knowledge to apply their understanding of separating materials to a wider range of everyday situations

In the Everyday materials unit, pupils learnt to compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of their simple physical properties. In this Properties, changes and separating materials, pupils will build on this knowledge to compare an group together everyday materials on the basis of a wider variety of properties

This unit explores the properties of everyday materials, including hardness, solubility, and conductivity. It covers reversible changes like dissolving and mixing, and irreversible changes such as burning. Emphasis is on scientific enquiries, data recording, and presenting findings with evidence.

Properties, changes and separating materials

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

A {{}} is the substance from which something is made.

What do you call the features of a material that can be observed or measured? 

Which of these would be the best way for scientists to find out about the physical properties of materials?

All types of plastic have identical properties.

Different materials have different physical properties.

All types of metal have identical properties.  

How do the physical properties of materials compare to each other?  

to decide what to do in that investigation

After testing the physical properties of a range of materials, how could scientists use their results? 

Which of these materials can be transparent?

items we use every day such as rulers and spoons  

the things that curtains, bedding and clothes are made from

the things that objects are made from such as metal or stone 

Which one of these materials is made by humans? 

Which of these materials is a gas at room temperature?

Which materials are **not** attracted to magnets?

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - equipment

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Properties of materials

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.