Science: Materials and Their Properties
Observing, comparing, and choosing materials
Science: Materials and Their Properties
Observing, comparing, and choosing materials
Science - Grade 2-3
- 1
A spoon can be made from metal, plastic, or wood. Name one property that makes metal a good material for a spoon.
Think about what happens when you scoop food.
Metal is a good material for a spoon because it is hard and strong, so it does not bend easily when you use it. - 2
Look at a classroom window. What material is it usually made from, and what property makes that material useful for a window?
A classroom window is usually made from glass. Glass is useful because it is transparent, which means light can pass through it and people can see through it. - 3
Circle the material that would be best for making a raincoat: paper, wool, rubber, or sponge. Explain your choice.
A raincoat needs to stop water from soaking through.
Rubber would be best for making a raincoat because it is waterproof and helps keep water away from the body. - 4
A towel is made from cloth. What property of cloth makes it useful after a bath or shower?
Cloth is useful for a towel because it is absorbent. It can soak up water from your skin. - 5
Sort these objects by the material they are mostly made from: glass jar, wooden chair, metal key, plastic bottle. Write each object with its material.
Look for words in the object names that give clues.
The glass jar is mostly made from glass. The wooden chair is mostly made from wood. The metal key is mostly made from metal. The plastic bottle is mostly made from plastic. - 6
A student says, 'All hard materials are heavy.' Do you agree or disagree? Give an example.
Think about toys, containers, or classroom supplies.
I disagree because some hard materials can be light. For example, a plastic building block can be hard but not very heavy. - 7
Which property describes something that can bend without breaking: magnetic, flexible, transparent, or rough? Use the word in a sentence.
The property is flexible. A rubber band is flexible because it can bend and stretch without breaking. - 8
A magnet sticks to an iron nail but not to a wooden pencil. What property does the iron nail have?
Magnets stick to some metals, but not all materials.
The iron nail is magnetic. This means a magnet can pull on it or stick to it. - 9
You need to pack a fragile glass cup. Would bubble wrap or a thin sheet of paper protect it better? Explain why.
Bubble wrap would protect the glass cup better because it is soft and has air pockets that cushion the cup if it bumps into something. - 10
Name two properties of a brick that make it useful for building walls.
Think about what a wall must do for a building.
A brick is useful for building walls because it is hard and strong. It can hold weight and keep its shape. - 11
A plastic bag and a paper bag can both carry things. Which one is more likely to stay strong if it gets wet? Explain your answer.
Think about what happens when paper gets soaked.
A plastic bag is more likely to stay strong if it gets wet because plastic is usually waterproof, while paper can absorb water and tear more easily. - 12
Choose the best material for a playground slide: sandpaper, metal, cotton, or sponge. Explain which property makes it a good choice.
Metal is a good material for a playground slide because it is smooth and strong. A smooth surface helps people slide down easily. - 13
Think of an object at home that is made from more than one material. Name the object, name two materials in it, and explain why each material is useful.
Many objects, such as shoes, backpacks, and pencils, are made from more than one material.
One example is a pencil. It has wood because wood is strong enough to hold, and it has graphite because graphite can leave marks for writing.