Working properties of materials
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify working properties of materials.
Key learning points
- Material properties describe how a material looks, feels, and behaves.
- Working properties are the way in which a material responds to an external force or certain environment.
- Working properties are also called ‘mechanical properties’ because they relate to how materials behave when used.
- Working (mechanical) properties help us select materials based on their function.
Keywords
Working property - the way in which a material responds to an external force or certain environment; also referred to as mechanical properties
Force - a push, pull or twist that acts on an object
Material - what a product is made from
Common misconception
Physical properties and working properties are the same thing.
Physical properties describe inherent features (like density, colour, or conductivity), whereas working properties describe how a material behaves under stress (like flexibility, toughness, or hardness).
Teacher tip
Use real-life objects (e.g. a metal spoon, a rubber band, a plastic ruler) to illustrate the difference between physical and working properties. Ask students to describe their physical properties first, then have them test their working properties by applying forces to see how they respond.
Equipment
See 'Teacher tip'.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which physical property is the ability of a material to allow electricity to flow through it?
Q2.What is mass usually measured in?
Q3.Which material group tends to have high absorbency?
Q4.Which of these materials are insulators?
Q5.What is the correct definition for material?
Q6.Material properties describe how a material looks, feels, and ...
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.What are working properties also known as?
Q2.Which of the following is an example of a force acting on a material?
Q3.Identify the working properties.
Q4.Which of these materials are mouldable?
Q5.Which of these materials are malleable?
To help you plan your 8 design and technology lesson on: Working 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: Working 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.