Physical and working properties of materials
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the difference between physical and working properties in materials.
Key learning points
- Physical properties are also known as 'characteristics' and describe a material's appearance and structure.
- Working properties are also known as 'mechanical properties' and refers to how a material reacts to external forces.
Keywords
Physical property - the characteristics of a material, such as appearance and features
Working property - the way in which a material responds to an external force or certain environment; also referred to as mechanical properties
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 of these is NOT a material?
Q2.Materials are chosen based on their physical and working .
Q3.Match each material to a common use:
windows
car tyres
electrical wiring
Q4.Put these materials in order from most flexible to least flexible.
Q5.Which of the following materials is BEST suited for making the head of a hammer?
Q6.Which of the following properties describes how well a material can return to its original shape after being stretched or compressed?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is a working/mechanical property of a material?
Q2.The ability of a material to resist breaking when a force is applied is called .
Q3.Which property would be MOST important when choosing a material for a flexible, stretchable item like a bungee cord?
Q4.Put the following materials in order of increasing hardness (from least to most hard):
Q5.Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?
Q6.Match each material with its primary working/mechanical property:
elasticity
toughness
electrical conductivity
hardness
To help you plan your 11 design and technology lesson on: Physical and working properties of materials, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 design and technology lesson on: Physical and 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.
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