Material Properties at Home 

Engineers choose materials for their designs based on the properties of those materials. After all, you don’t 
make a raincoat out of tissues or a bike tire out of stone.   
 
Directions​: Go on a hunt around your home and find an object to match each property on the list. You 
may add a picture you took, an image from the internet, or just describe it in words. Pay attention to the 
engineering definition of the property - it’s not always the same we use in our regular life. An example is 
done for you. 
Turn in your assignment when it is done. Have fun! 
 

Property & Definition  Object or Part of an  Why it’s used in the 
Object  object 
Transparent ​- allows light to  The lenses of the glasses need 
pass through so that objects  to be transparent so the 
behind can be easily seen (see  wearer of the glasses can see 
through)  what they’re doing and where 
  they’re going 

Thermal Conductivity​ -  The metal wire needs to be 

allows the flow of heat  able to conduct electricity for 
(opposite of insulator)  it to be a good product, but it 
can also conduct heat as well. 

Durability​ - ability to  Wood can withstand a lot of 

withstand wear, pressure, or  heat, a lot of pressure, and 
damage  does not break in half easily 
at all. 

Brittleness​ - ability of a  Crackers can break easily 

material to break or shatter  because they are a food item. 
when under pressure  

 
Flexibility​ - ability of an  Clothes are made of fabric 
object to bend or deform in  and clothes need to mold 
response to an applied force  around your body. 

Absorbent​ - ability to soak  Sponges need to absorb 

up liquid easily  water to clean things properly. 

Elasticity​ - ability of a  .  Rubber bands are supposed 

material to return to its  to stretch over things so they 
original form after a force has  are elastic. 
been applied and removed 

Stiffness​ - ability to resist  You can't write with a pencil 

bending.  that's bending all over the 
place! 

 
 Waterproof/Water  Plastic bags are often used to 
resistant​ - does not allow  contain liquids, so they are 
water to pass through  waterproof.