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Lesson 1 of 8
  • Year 8

Physical properties of materials

I can identify physical properties of materials.

Lesson 1 of 8
New
New
  • Year 8

Physical properties of materials

I can identify physical properties of materials.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Material properties describe how a material looks, feels, and behaves.
  2. Physical properties are the characteristics of a material, such as appearance and features.
  3. Physical properties (characteristics) help us choose the right material for a product.
  4. Physical properties are the characteristics of a material that can be observed without doing anything to it.
  5. 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.


To help you plan your year 8 design and technology lesson on: Physical properties of materials, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use a materials handling collection that pupils can interact with to help embed the learning.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Materials handling collection.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
A material's appearance includes which of these?

cost
source
Correct answer: colour
Correct answer: texture

Q2.
Define the function of a product.

Correct answer: what it is meant to do
how much it costs
what colour it is
where it is made

Q3.
Match the product to the most suitable material.

Correct Answer:toy brick,polymer

polymer

Correct Answer:drinks can,metal

metal

Correct Answer:jumper,textile

textile

Correct Answer:table,timber

timber

Q4.
Which of the following is a natural material?

nylon
Correct answer: silk
aluminium
polypropylene

Q5.
Which of these materials is most suitable for making a strong, lightweight bicycle frame?

steel
Correct answer: aluminium
pine
acrylic

Q6.
When designing a new product, why is it important to consider sustainability?

Correct answer: to reduce environmental impact and use resources responsibly
to make products more expensive
to make products heavier
to improve colour and texture

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
Material properties describe how a material looks, feels, and ...

Correct Answer: behaves

Q2.
Which of these relate to a material's appearance?

Correct answer: transparency
Correct answer: texture
strength
weight
Correct answer: colour

Q3.
True or false? Materials have physical properties that can be observed without changing them.

Correct answer: true
false

Q4.
What is an important physical property for a bath towel?

colour
Correct answer: absorbency
transparency