UNIT 1

Material Use
 TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Lesson 1 Lesson 5
Lesson 2 Lesson 6
Lesson 3 Lesson 7
Lesson 4 Lesson 8
 LESSON 1
LEARNING INTENTION
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
To investigate the observable
Lesson 3 of objects and explain how
properties
Lesson 4 used in real-life situations
they are
Lesson 5
 LESSON 1
SUCCESS CRITERIA
Lesson 1
Lesson 2 the differences between the terms
I can define
‘characteristics’ and ‘properties’
Lesson 3
Lesson 4 objects and explain their purpose
I can describe
Lesson 5
 MYSTERY
SUBSTANCE
 SCIENTIFIC
TERMINOLOGY
 OBJECT
An object is a
thing. The
pencil cases are
all objects
CHARACTERISTIC
A characteristic is a
describe of an item that
helps distinguish it from
other items in the group.

This pencil case is

rectangular in shape, made
of cloth, has a zip and is
brightly coloured
CHARACTERISTIC

This pencil case is cylindrical in shape, is made of metal, has a

clear top and a sharpener and has coloured stripes.
 PHYSICAL
PROPERTY
A physical property is an
attribute that can be
observed or measured
without changing the
composition of the material.
It normally describes
attributes common to a
group of materials. Pencil cases are light and
durable
 PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES
Materials have physical
properties. These pencil
cases are made of metal.
Metal is durable and
mouldable.

PHYSICAL MATERIAL
PROPERTIES
 PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES
These pencil cases are made
of fabric.

Fabric is woven, durable,

light, flexible and can be
coloured.
PHYSICAL
MATERIAL
PROPERTIES
 PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES
These pencil cases are made
of plastic.

Plastic is light, durable,

flexible and can be coloured.

PHYSICAL
MATERIAL
PROPERTIES
 THIS IS A PENCIL
CASE
object
This is a pencil case. It is characteristics
rectangular, made of
cloth and brightly coloured.
The cloth is
strong, flexible and light. material
physical properties
 WHAT IS THE
PURPOSE OF A
PENCIL CASE?
 HOW DO THE
PROPERTIES OF
THE MATERIAL
SUIT THE
PURPOSE?
WORKSHEET
ONENOTE
 LESSON 2
LEARNING INTENTION
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
To investigate the observable
Lesson 3 of objects and explain how
properties
Lesson 4 used in real-life situations
they are
Lesson 5
 LESSON 2
SUCCESS CRITERIA
Lesson 1
Lesson 2 objects and explain their purpose
I can describe
Lesson 3
I can select a material for a purpose based on
Lesson 4 properties
Lesson 5
WOULD IT WORK?
LET’S LEARN
ABOUT PAPER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VEJCWvfhQg
 WOULD IT WORK?
A cooking pot made of chocolate?

Would it still work for it’s purpose? Why/why not?

What material is this object usually made from?
What are the physical properties of that material, which make it
suitable?
 WOULD IT WORK?
Togs made from paper?

Would it still work for it’s purpose? Why/why not?

What material is this object usually made from?
What are the physical properties of that material, which make it
suitable?
 WOULD IT WORK?
Tissues made of aluminium foil?

Would it still work for it’s purpose? Why/why not?

What material is this object usually made from?
What are the physical properties of that material, which make it
suitable?
 WOULD IT WORK?
A knife made of jelly?

Would it still work for it’s purpose? Why/why not?

What material is this object usually made from?
What are the physical properties of that material, which make it
suitable?
WORKSHEET
ONENOTE
 LESSON 3
LEARNING INTENTION
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
To investigate the observable
Lesson 3 of objects and explain how
properties
Lesson 4 used in real-life situations
they are
Lesson 5
 LESSON 3
SUCCESS CRITERIA
Lesson 1
I can describe the difference between natural and
Lesson 2 processed materials
Lesson 3
I can research
Lesson 4 the process of changing a natural
material into a processed material
Lesson 5
NATURAL TO
PROCESSED
MATERIALS
Many of the materials and
products we use every day
started out in a very different
form and were processed into
the materials and products we
know and use.
Natural materials —
grow in the earth or
we take them from
the earth. We don’t https://pixabay.com/en/strawberries-red-sweet-plant-field-196798/

need to change
them before we use
them.
Can you think of an
example of a natural
material?
 Processed materials — have
been changed or processed
before we use them. Some
things are processed only a
little bit and some things need
to go through many processes
before we use them.
Can you think of an example of
a processed material?

https://pixabay.com/en/strawberry-jar-jam-jelly-preserves-304544/
 milk Milk is a natural
material that comes from
a dairy cow (or sometimes
another animal like a
goat).

https://pixabay.com/en/drip-milk-pour-liquid-food-175551/

But we don’t drink

milk straight from
the cow.

https://pixabay.com/en/cow-nature-farm-natural-milk-818984/
 Milk goes to a factory where it is heated to kill germs.
This milk is now ‘pasteurised’ and is the milk we buy in
the shops to drink. This milk has been processed.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Milk_Vat.jpg https://pixabay.com/en/milk-glass-frisch-healthy-drink-518067/
We process milk even more to make products like cheese, butter,
yoghurt and ice-cream. Other ingredients are added to the milk
and it has more processing before we enjoy these products.

https://pixabay.com/en/mozzarella-cheese-pasteurized-milk-493526/ https://pixabay.com/en/butter-butter-dish-breakfast-snack-186909/

https://pixabay.com/en/haile-appetizer-cold-appetizers-812649/ https://pixabay.com/en/ice-creams-desserts-sweet-delicious-272437/
 What natural
materials
are used to make
processed
materials?
 glass
Glass is a
processed
material.
What
natural
material is
processed to
make glass?

https://pixabay.com/en/still-life-flower-bottles-chalices-840075/
sand!

Sand is a natural material and it is the main material processed

to make glass.
pottery
Pottery is a
processed
material.
What
natural
material is
processed to
make
pottery?

https://pixabay.com/en/terracotta-pots-flower-pots-399451/
 clay

https://pixabay.com/en/wave-water-clay-ship-boat-bronze-62594/ https://pixabay.com/en/potter-clay-hands-wheel-ceramic-622708/

Clay is a natural material and it is processed by shaping

and then heating to make pottery.
 flour

Flour is a processed material. What natural material is

processed to make flour?
 wheat Wheat is a
natural
material
and it is
processed by
grinding and
sifting to
make flour.

https://pixabay.com/en/wheat-spike-wheat-field-cereals-8762/
paper

https://pixabay.com/en/paper-stack-white-655112/

Paper is a processed material. What natural material

is processed to make paper?
 wood Wood is a
natural
material
and it is
processed by
chipping,
pulping,
bleaching
and dying to
make paper.

https://pixabay.com/en/forest-trees-pine-nature-746370/
 coffee

https://pixabay.com/en/coffee-herb-relax-883502/

Coffee is a processed material. What natural

material is processed to make coffee?
 coffee beans The fruit
from the
coffee plant
is a natural
material
and it is
processed by
roasting and
grinding to
make coffee.

https://pixabay.com/en/coffee-grain-coffee-bean-cup-747604/
 sunflower oil
Sunflower oil is a
processed material.
What natural material
is processed to make
sunflower oil?

https://pixabay.com/en/olive-oil-greek-oil-olive-bottle-356102/
 sunflowers Sunflower
seeds are a
natural
material and
they are
processed by
pressing and
filtering to
make oil.

https://pixabay.com/en/sunflower-wind-sunflower-field-186967/
 plaster Plaster is a
processed
material.
What
natural
material is
processed
to make
plaster?

https://pixabay.com/en/plaster-relief-medallion-52868/
 minerals Minerals like
gypsum are
natural
materials
and they are
processed by
heating and
grinding.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:WhiteSandsGypsum.jpg
CUT AND PASTE
ACTIVITY
WORKSHEET
ONENOTE
 LESSON 4
LEARNING INTENTION
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
To investigate the observable
Lesson 3 of objects and explain how
properties
Lesson 4 used in real-life situations
they are
Lesson 5
 LESSON 4
SUCCESS CRITERIA
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
I can identify the properties of fabrics and use this
Lesson 3
knowledge to justify material used for a purpose
Lesson 4
Lesson 5
HISTORY OF
TEXTILES
People throughout history have
used textiles to make clothes.
Some textiles are only processed
a little from natural materials and
some are highly processed.
Textiles are chosen for their
unique properties.
Before 9000 BCE: natural materials
People used natural materials, such as fur, skins (leather) and grass
fibres, for clothing.

Munal, http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/791401 Hisoria, http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/791403

9000 BCE–3000 BCE
The earliest fibres used for making yarn came from animals such as
sheep, goats, alpacas and llamas.

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/577887 http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/35336
 3600 BCE
Silk production commenced in China and used fibres from a
silkworm’s cocoon. The process was kept a closely guarded secret
for centuries.

BlackKimonoMacro2, Courtesy of Narinda Sandry. Used with permission.

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/127730
 2700 BCE
Cotton fabric was being widely produced from the cotton plant in
Pakistan, Egypt and Peru

cottonbasket, http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/154094 http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/225359

1800s onwards: manufactured materials
In 1823, Charles Macintosh invented a waterproof
fabric by combining rubber and fabric. He then made
the Macintosh raincoat. Today raincoats are made
from waterproof plastics rather than rubber.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ Courtesy of Kerry-Anne Reese. Used with permission. Persons appearing do so with consent.
File:Carson,_Pirie,_Scott_
%26_Co._Macintosh,_1893.jpg
 1853-1873
Levi Strauss patented a fabric that became known as denim. He was
inspired to create the fabric for miners, who needed a hard-wearing
but soft fabric to work in. Denim is made from cotton.

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/64186 Courtesy of Vivienne Alexander. Used with permission.

 1855—1894
Chemists from the 1850s onwards worked on developing types of
artificial silks from chemically changed plant cellulose, especially
wood pulp. The earliest examples of these, like rayon, were highly
flammable. Later forms were less flammable.

Courtesy of Vivienne Alexander. Used with permission. Rayon closeup http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rayon_closeup_1.jpg

 1913
PVC, or vinyl, had already been invented by 1913. However, the
chemist Waldo L Semon created a more usable PVC, which is often
used for furniture and decorative items.

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/75474 Courtesy of Vivienne Alexander. Used with permission.

 1930s
Neoprene was invented by the chemical company DuPont as a synthetic rubber.
It was used to line the gloves of Buzz Aldrin when he rocketed to the moon in
1969 (Buzz Aldrin was the second man to walk on the moon). Neoprene is most
commonly used for wetsuits, drink coolers, laptop sleeves and joint-support
braces.

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/107423 NASA, Portrait of Astronaut Edwin Aldrin,

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aldrin.jpg
 1935
Nylon was invented by chemists at the chemical company DuPont. Nylon
is often used for lining bags and clothing because it is soft and flexible.

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/141963 Courtesy of Vivienne Alexander . Used with permission.

 1941
Polyester was invented by chemists Whinfield and Dickson. By 1968,
polyester was the most widely used fibre over all other types of
fibres, including natural ones!

FootballWorldCup, http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/124599 mindweb, gloves http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/60489 CC BY-SA 3.0

creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
 1948–1955
In 1948, George De Mestrel was inspired by a prickly plant that got
caught on his clothes and his dog’s fur to create the hooked and
looped fabric we know as Velcro. He wasn’t able to convince people
of its usefulness until 1955!

Standard_Tube_Park_Trails_08_11_0, Courtesy of Vivienne Alexander. Used with permission. Courtesy of Vivienne Alexander. Used with permission.
http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/135695
 1958
Spandex was invented by chemists William Hanford and Donald
Holmes. Spandex is most commonly used in clothing that needs to
be form-fitting yet stretchy!

bicycle_race, http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/224002

Courtesy of Vivienne Alexander. Used with permission.

 1965
In 1965, chemist Stephanie Louise Kwolek invented the fabric Kevlar.
She worked for the company DuPont. Kevlar is very strong and is
used in bulletproof vests.

United States Marine Corps, Photo ID: 200752975218 Molecular tactical vest, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ModularTacticalVest.jpg
 1968
Qiana or nylon silk was created by DuPont. It had similar properties
to real silk, but was much cheaper to make. It is used for ‘silk’
parachutes.

Parachuter sport, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parachuter_sport.jpg U.S. Navy, Senegal soldiers – parachute jump,

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Senegal_soldiers_-_parachute_jump.jpg
1969
WL Gore invented a breathable,
waterproof and windproof
fabric, which is now widely used
for cold-weather and wet-
weather outer wear.

123hallo, Gerhard Bloechl, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gerhard_Bloechl.JPG

CC BY 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en
 1970
Chemist Dr
Miyoshi Okamoto
and his colleague
Dr Toyhiko Hikota
invented the fabric
ultrasuede. It was
the first microfibre
invented.
Microfibre is a very
fine, wrinkle-
resistant yarn.
1979
Fleece was invented by
Malden Mills. Fleece is
commonly known as polar
fleece. Several different
grades and qualities are
made. Polar fleece is often
made from recycled plastic
bottles.

lookncool, http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/114922
What might the future

of textiles bring?
What do you think?
 LET’S LEARN
ABOUT COTTON
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6plTYrBth4
DESIGN AN OUTFIT
Design an outfit
There are many different types of
fabrics, made from different
materials, with physical
properties that influence their
use. We wear clothes made from
different materials for different
reasons.
Look at the drawing of the
dancer. Her clothes are made
from elastane, nylon and leather
because of the physical
properties of these materials.
DESIGN AN OUTFIT
You are going to design an outfit made from different materials
for an occupation you choose. Remember to include items for
the whole outfit, including things like the clothes, shoes, hat,
belt and maybe even specialised protective equipment.

1. Choose an occupation to design an outfit for.

2. Draw and label your outfit identifying the clothing and the
materials used.
3. Explain which materials you chose and explain why.
 LESSON 5
LEARNING INTENTION
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
To investigate the observable
Lesson 3 of objects and explain how
properties
Lesson 4 used in real-life situations
they are
Lesson 5
 LESSON 5
SUCCESS CRITERIA
Lesson 1
Lesson 2 I can explain fair tests
Lesson 3
I can complete a scientific investigation about
Lesson 4 absorbency
Lesson 5
 WHAT IS A FAIR
TEST?
In Science, we often test our
ideas about how the world works
by conducting experiments.
Usually, these experiments will
contain several tests. We change
things each time we test and
observe what happens.
Experiments need to be ‘fair
tests’. What does ‘fair’ mean?
Let’s find out!
 WHAT IS A FAIR
TEST?
Let’s start with an explanation.
A test is fair when only one
thing causes a change.
A fair test can be created in
three easy steps:
1. Change only one thing.
2. Measure something.
3. Keep everything else the
same.
 FAIR TESTS
Let’s look at an example.
Suppose we wanted to
investigate the following
question:
How much water is best
for a plant to grow?
We would need to apply
the three steps of
creating a fair test.
 FAIR TESTS
Step 1: Change Only
One Thing
What is the one thing we would
change to test our question?
For this experiment, we would change
the amount of water we will give the
plants.
We would need to decide upon
different amounts of water to use. The
more amounts we can include, the
more information our test will give us.
 FAIR TESTS
Step 2: Measure Something
What can we measure that will
show us how much water is best
for plants to grow?
We would measure how much
the plants grow.
We would need to decide when
and how often we would
measure our plants.
 FAIR TESTS
Step 3: Keep Everything
Else the Same
Now for the hard part!
We have to think of everything else
that we would need for the
experiment, then make sure that all
of those things stay the same.
What things would we need to keep
the same for this experiment?
 FAIR TESTS
Step 3: Keep Everything Else the Same
The things we would need to keep the same would
include:
the type of plant, the type of soil, the type of pot for the
plant, the amount of soil, where the plants will be placed,
the height of the plants at the start.
By making sure that these things stay the same, we would
then know that any differences in how the plants grow
must be a result of the different amounts of water.
 FAIR TESTS
Designing a Fair Test -
Class Activity
Let’s try designing a fair test together.
Here is another question to consider:
Do different types of ice cream melt
faster than others?
How do we make the test fair?
We must follow the three steps for
creating a fair test.
 FAIR TESTS
Step 1: Change Only One Thing
Do different types of ice cream melt faster than others?
What would be the one thing we would change to test this
question?
Think of an answer quietly to yourself, then make a pair
and tell your partner. Share your answer with the class.

Answer (click to reveal)

the type of ice cream
 FAIR TESTS
Step 2: Measure Something
Do different types of ice cream melt faster than others?
What would we measure in this test?
Think of an answer quietly to yourself, then make a pair
and tell your partner. Share your answer with the class.
Answer (click to reveal)
the time it takes for the ice cream to melt OR
how much ice cream melts in a particular time
 FAIR TESTS
Step 3: Keep Everything Else the Same
Do different types of ice cream melt faster than others?
What would have to remain the same each time we repeat
the test?
Make a list of all the other things that would have to stay
the same to make sure that any differences in the time it
takes the ice cream to melt are caused only by the types of
ice cream.
Answer (click to reveal)
the amount of ice cream, the temperature, where the ice
cream is melted, how the ice cream is melted
 ABSORBENCY
INVESTIGATION
 LESSON 6
LEARNING INTENTION
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
To investigate the observable
Lesson 3 of objects and explain how
properties
Lesson 4 used in real-life situations
they are
Lesson 5
 LESSON 6
SUCCESS CRITERIA
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
I can identify the properties of metals and use this
Lesson 3
knowledge to justify material used for a purpose
Lesson 4
Lesson 5
Many wonderful, useful
and beautiful objects
are made of metals
because of the special
physical properties of
metal. Let’s think about
these properties.
Physical property — Malleable
Malleable means something can be bent. Most metals are
malleable and can be bent or hammered into shapes without
breaking.

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/161712
 Physical property— Ductile
Ductile means something can be stretched without breaking.
Most metals can be stretched into long, thin shapes like wires.

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/801815
 Physical property — Conductive
Conductive means heat energy and electricity can move
easily through metals. This is why metal wires are used for
power lines.

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/101819
 Physical property— Mouldable
Mouldable means that a something can be poured into a mould
to be shaped. Metals can be melted to a liquid. As a liquid, they
can be poured into a mould and cooled. When cool, they are
hard and keep the shape of the mould. This process is called
‘casting’.

Courtesy of Katryn Bryant. Used with permission.

 Physical property — Magnetic
Magnetic means that a metal is attracted to a magnet. Some
metals are magnetic, including iron, nickel and cobalt. Alloys
(metal mixtures) which contain these metals, like steel which
contains iron, are also attracted to magnets.

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/60079
 Different metals
have different
physical properties.
This makes them
suitable for different
purposes.
 copper

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/31765 http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/31760

Copper is red gold in colour and is a soft metal. It is ductile and malleable. Copper
is conductive. It conducts electricity and heat. Because it is easy to bend and does
not rust, it is used to make water pipes. Because it conducts electricity and can be
bent easily, it is used to make electrical wiring.
 lead

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plumbum_weight,_3kg_(diving).jpg https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lead_shielding.jpg

Lead is grey coloured, very soft, malleable and quite heavy. Lead conducts heat and
electricity and it can also block radiation. Lead does not rust. Because it is heavy and
does not rust, it is used to make diving and fishing weights. Because it can block
radiation, it is used in clothing, like lead-filled aprons; and in barriers to protect against
radiation. Lead is poisonous so it is not used in water pipes or items such as bowls and
cups that people use.
 aluminium

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aluminumfoil.jpg http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/560795

Aluminium is light grey in colour. It is very light and very malleable. It can be rolled out
into thin sheets. It conducts heat and it can be heated to high temperatures. It is not
poisonous. Thin aluminium foil can be used in cooking because it can be wrapped easily
around food and heated in the oven. Food cooked in aluminium will not make people
sick. Because it is light but very strong, it is used to make saucepans and soft drink cans
and for parts in vehicles like cars and aeroplanes.
 iron

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/925574

Iron is dark grey, strong and very heavy. Iron is used to make steel. Iron and steel are
both magnetic, conductive and malleable. They are not as malleable as other metals.
They will also rust if exposed to water and oxygen. Special coatings and processes
can prevent rusting. Because iron and steel are so strong, they are used to make
buildings, bridges, trains, cars and household items like knives, forks and saucepans.
 silver gold

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/218019

Silver and gold are two ‘precious metals’. Precious metals are called ‘precious’ because they
are rare. They are also quite expensive. Silver has very high conductivity and is quite
malleable. Because it is easily shaped, it is used to make jewellery and because of its
excellent conductivity, it is used as a coating on wires. Gold is even more malleable than
silver. It is very shiny and it does not rust or tarnish so it is used to make jewellery that looks
nice for a long time. Gold is conductive and is used in some computers and phones.
 alloys

http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/75052

Sometimes metals are mixed together to make metals called ‘alloys’. Steel is an example of
an alloy and so are bronze and brass. Metal alloys have slightly different properties from the
metals which make them. Brass is an alloy made of copper and zinc. It is more malleable
than zinc, it doesn’t rust and is quite durable. It has a shiny appearance and is used for
decorations, keys, bowls, cups, pipes, taps and also to make strong and durable musical
instruments.
CLASSROOM
METAL HUNT
 LESSON 7
LEARNING INTENTION
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
To investigate the observable
Lesson 3 of objects and explain how
properties
Lesson 4 used in real-life situations
they are
Lesson 5
 LESSON 7
SUCCESS CRITERIA
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
I can identify the properties of plastic and use this
Lesson 3
knowledge to justify material used for a purpose
Lesson 4
Lesson 5
 LET’S LEARN
ABOUT PLATIC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwdUwffecsM
WHAT IS PLASTIC?
And why is it so popular?
There are a lot of different types of plastics made in
different ways with different properties and uses.
All plastics are processed materials. They are often described as
‘synthetic’ because they are made from natural materials that are highly
processed or ‘synthesised’ so that they are very different from their
original state. Most plastics are synthesised from oil and natural gas but
some are synthesised from plants.

https://pixabay.com/en/oil-gasoline-automotive-reflection-696579/
Bakelite was the
first plastic made
from synthesised
materials. It was
very durable. It
was also
mouldable so it
could be used for
many objects but
it was not
flexible.
Scientists did more experiments and
investigations and developed plastics
with many different properties.

Plastics are now synthesised to have a

wide variety of properties depending
upon their purpose.

Plastics can be:

• durable or fragile

• rigid or flexible

• transparent or opaque.

Depending on their purpose.

And now they come in every colour

imaginable!

https://pixabay.com/en/straws-tube-plastic-colorful-color-8001/
 By mixing chemicals together in a laboratory, scientists can make plastics that are
in liquid form, small pellets or even fibres.
Many plastics can be transported as pellets, and then melted into liquid in
factories. Then the liquid can be poured into moulds to make many items.
Some plastics are processed as long fibres to make fabrics like nylon and spandex.
Some liquid plastics are used to make paints and glues.
There are many uses for plastic!

https://pixabay.com/en/polystyrene-white-building-material- https://pixabay.com/en/background-bobbin-color-colorful- https://pixabay.com/en/acrylic-paints-color-basic-colors-174638/

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 Why is plastic so popular?
When plastic was invented, people quickly realised it could be used as a substitute for
many other materials like wood, glass, china, bone and metal and also for fibres like
wool and cotton.

plastic and china plastic and wood plastic and metal plastic and glass
plates rulers spoons bottles
Plastic is much less likely to break than china or glass. It can be quickly moulded into any
form, unlike wood, which has to be carved. It is much lighter than metal and it is much
cheaper than many other materials. It can also be made in any colour people wanted.
Because it can have so many properties, plastic can be used to make just about anything!
 THE PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES AND
USES OF PLASTICS
 There are many
different types of
plastics and their
physical properties
can be very different
depending upon the
type of plastic and its
use.
 Most plastics are:
• durable (hard wearing)
• water resistant (water can’t soak through
them)
• able to be made into different shapes.
Other physical properties depend upon the
type of plastic and its purpose.
Plastics have physical properties which
make them suitable for their use!
Items made of plastic can be flexible.

Why is it useful for a hose to be flexible?

Items made of plastic can be rigid.

Why is it useful for bowls to be rigid?

Items made of plastic can be transparent.

Why is it useful to be able to

see through these plastics?
Items made of plastic can be opaque
(impossible to see through).

Why is it useful
to not be able to
see through this
plastic?
Items made of plastic can be easy to tear.

Why is it useful for this plastic to be easy to tear?

Items made of plastic can be very strong and
durable.

Why is it useful for this plastic to be hard to break?

Items made of plastic can be thin.

Why is it useful for this plastic to be thin?

Items made of plastic can be thick.

Why is it useful for this

plastic to be thick?
 Items made of plastic can be coloured.

Why is it useful for these plastic lenses to be coloured?

What plastic items do you use?
PLASTIC STUDY
AND PLASTIC
INVESTIGATION
 LESSON 8
LEARNING INTENTION
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
To investigate the observable
Lesson 3 of objects and explain how
properties
Lesson 4 used in real-life situations
they are
Lesson 5
 LESSON 8
SUCCESS CRITERIA
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
I can identify the properties of plastic and use this
Lesson 3
knowledge to justify material used for a purpose
Lesson 4
Lesson 5
 PACKING
CHALLENGE