Physical properties of materials
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify physical properties of materials.
Key learning points
- Material properties describe how a material looks, feels, and behaves.
- Physical properties are the characteristics of a material, such as appearance and features.
- Physical properties (characteristics) help us choose the right material for a product.
- Physical properties are the characteristics of a material that can be observed without doing anything to it.
- The function of a product decides what material properties are needed.
Keywords
Physical property - the characteristics of a material, such as appearance and features
Material - what a product is made from
Function - what a product is meant to do
Common misconception
Physical and working properties are the same.
Physical properties are the characteristics of a material, such as appearance and features.
Teacher tip
Use a materials handling collection that pupils can interact with to help embed the learning.
Equipment
Materials handling collection.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A material's appearance includes which of these?
Q2.Define the function of a product.
Q3.Match the product to the most suitable material.
polymer
metal
textile
timber
Q4.Which of the following is a natural material?
Q5.Which of these materials is most suitable for making a strong, lightweight bicycle frame?
Q6.When designing a new product, why is it important to consider sustainability?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Material properties describe how a material looks, feels, and ...
Q2.Which of these relate to a material's appearance?
Q3.True or false? Materials have physical properties that can be observed without changing them.
Q4.What is an important physical property for a bath towel?
To help you plan your 8 design and technology lesson on: Physical properties of materials, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 design and technology lesson on: Physical properties of materials, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 design and technology lessons from the Material testing unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.