Chapter-Chapter 6. Materials Around Us Science Curiosity class 6 in english Medium CBSE Notes

Chapter 6. Materials Around Us

Everything we use in our daily life is made of one or more materials. A material is the substance from which an object is made. Different materials possess different properties, and these properties determine their suitability for specific purposes. This chapter explains how materials are classified based on their physical properties such as appearance, hardness, transparency, solubility, mass, and volume. It also introduces the concept of matter and its importance in everyday life.

CBSE Full Notes

Introduction to Materials

Look around your home, classroom, or playground. You will find a variety of objects such as chairs, tables, books, bottles, toys, clothes, utensils, and electronic gadgets. Although these objects have different shapes, sizes, and uses, they are all made from different kinds of materials.

A single object may be made from one material or from several different materials. For example, a steel spoon is made from one material, whereas a school bag may contain cloth, plastic, metal, and rubber.

What is a Material?

A material is any substance that is used for making an object. The choice of material depends on the purpose for which the object is made. Different materials have different physical properties that make them useful for different applications.

Examples

• Wood is used for furniture.
• Glass is used for windows.
• Plastic is used for bottles and containers.
• Cotton is used for clothes.
• Iron is used for machines and tools.

Classification of Materials

Thousands of materials are available around us. Studying each material separately is difficult. Therefore, materials are grouped according to their common properties. This process is called classification of materials.

Advantages of Classification

• Makes the study of materials simple.
• Helps compare different materials.
• Makes identification easier.
• Helps select suitable materials for different purposes.
• Supports scientific research and industrial production.

Properties of Materials

Materials differ from one another because of their physical properties.

1. Appearance (Lustre)

Some materials have a shiny surface known as lustre. Such materials are called lustrous materials. Most metals are lustrous.

Examples of Lustrous Materials

• Gold
• Silver
• Copper
• Aluminium
• Iron

Materials that do not have a shiny surface are called non-lustrous materials.

Examples

• Wood
• Paper
• Rubber
• Cotton

2. Hardness

Hardness is the property that tells us whether a material can be scratched, cut, or compressed easily.

Hard Materials

• Stone
• Iron
• Steel
• Glass

Soft Materials

• Sponge
• Cotton
• Rubber
• Clay

3. Transparency

Materials are also classified according to the amount of light they allow to pass through them.

Transparent Materials

• Glass
• Clean Water
• Air

These materials allow almost all the light to pass through them, making objects visible clearly.

Translucent Materials

• Butter Paper
• Frosted Glass
• Thin Plastic Sheet

These materials allow only some light to pass through them, so objects appear blurred.

Opaque Materials

• Wood
• Brick
• Metal Sheet
• Cardboard

Opaque materials do not allow light to pass through them.

4. Solubility in Water

Some substances dissolve completely in water, whereas others do not.

Soluble Substances

• Sugar
• Salt
• Glucose

Insoluble Substances

• Sand
• Chalk Powder
• Sawdust
• Stone Dust

The property of dissolving in water is known as solubility.

5. Mass

Every material has mass. Mass is the amount of matter contained in an object. It tells us how heavy or light an object is.

SI Unit of Mass

• Kilogram (kg)
• Gram (g)

6. Volume

Every material occupies space. The amount of space occupied by a material is called its volume.

Units of Volume

• Litre (L)
• Millilitre (mL)

Matter

Anything that has mass and occupies space is called matter. Every object around us, whether solid, liquid, or gas, is made of matter.

Examples of Matter

• Air
• Water
• Stone
• Wood
• Plastic
• Iron

Importance of Material Properties

The properties of materials help us decide where and how they should be used.

Property	Application
Transparency	Windows and spectacles
Hardness	Construction materials and tools
Lustre	Jewellery and decorative items
Waterproof Nature	Raincoats and umbrellas
Solubility	Medicines and food preparation

Applications in Daily Life

• Manufacturing household utensils.
• Making furniture.
• Preparing medicines.
• Building houses and bridges.
• Producing sports equipment.
• Making transparent windows.
• Preparing food and beverages.
• Making waterproof products.

Remember These Points

• Every object is made from one or more materials.
• Materials are selected according to their properties.
• Classification helps us study materials systematically.
• Metals are generally lustrous.
• Stone and iron are hard materials.
• Sponge and cotton are soft materials.
• Glass and water are transparent materials.
• Butter paper is translucent.
• Wood and metals are opaque materials.
• Sugar and salt dissolve in water.
• Sand and chalk powder do not dissolve in water.
• Mass is measured in kilograms and grams.
• Volume is measured in litres and millilitres.
• Everything that has mass and occupies space is called matter.
• The properties of materials determine their everyday uses.

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