Science Curiosity Notes Class 6 English Medium 2026-27

Science Curiosity Chapter 6. Materials Around Us

CBSE Notes New Syllabus: Class 6

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Chapter 6. Materials Around Us

Everything around us is made of one or more materials. Different materials have different properties, which make them useful for different purposes. This chapter explains the types and properties of materials used in our daily life.

Detailed Notes

Materials

Material: A material is a substance used to make an object.

Examples of Materials

(i) Wood

(ii) Plastic

(iii) Glass

(iv) Iron

(v) Cotton

Examples of Objects and Their Materials

(i) Chair – Wood or Plastic

(ii) Bottle – Plastic or Glass

(iii) Spoon – Steel

(iv) Shirt – Cotton

(v) Window – Glass

Classification of Materials

Classification of Materials: Grouping materials according to their common properties is called classification of materials.

Advantages of Classification

(i) Makes the study of materials easy.

(ii) Helps compare different materials.

(iii) Makes identification simple.

(iv) Helps choose suitable materials for different purposes.

Properties of Materials

Properties of Materials: The special features that help us identify and use materials are called their properties.

Main Properties

(i) Appearance (Lustre)

(ii) Hardness

(iii) Transparency

(iv) Solubility in Water

(v) Mass

(vi) Volume

Appearance (Lustre)

Lustre: The shiny appearance of a material is called lustre.

Lustrous Materials

(i) Gold

(ii) Silver

(iii) Copper

(iv) Aluminium

(v) Iron

Non-Lustrous Materials

(i) Wood

(ii) Paper

(iii) Cotton

(iv) Rubber

Hardness

Hardness: Hardness is the property that tells whether a material is hard or soft.

Hard Materials

(i) Stone

(ii) Iron

(iii) Steel

(iv) Glass

Soft Materials

(i) Sponge

(ii) Cotton

(iii) Rubber

(iv) Clay

Key Points

(i) Every object is made of one or more materials.

(ii) Materials are grouped according to their properties.

(iii) Lustrous materials have a shiny surface.

(iv) Hard materials cannot be scratched easily.

(v) Soft materials can be pressed or cut easily.

Transparency

Transparency: Transparency is the property of a material that allows light to pass through it.

Types of Materials Based on Transparency

(i) Transparent Materials

(ii) Translucent Materials

(iii) Opaque Materials

Transparent Materials

Transparent Materials: Materials that allow almost all light to pass through them are called transparent materials.

Examples of Transparent Materials

(i) Glass

(ii) Clean Water

(iii) Air

Characteristics of Transparent Materials

(i) Allow light to pass through.

(ii) Objects can be seen clearly.

Translucent Materials

Translucent Materials: Materials that allow only some light to pass through them are called translucent materials.

Examples of Translucent Materials

(i) Butter Paper

(ii) Frosted Glass

(iii) Thin Plastic Sheet

Characteristics of Translucent Materials

(i) Allow only a little light to pass through.

(ii) Objects appear blurred.

Opaque Materials

Opaque Materials: Materials that do not allow light to pass through them are called opaque materials.

Examples of Opaque Materials

(i) Wood

(ii) Brick

(iii) Metal Sheet

(iv) Cardboard

Characteristics of Opaque Materials

(i) Do not allow light to pass through.

(ii) Objects cannot be seen through them.

Solubility in Water

Solubility: Solubility is the property of a substance to dissolve in water.

Soluble Substances

(i) Sugar

(ii) Salt

(iii) Glucose

Insoluble Substances

(i) Sand

(ii) Chalk Powder

(iii) Sawdust

(iv) Stone Dust

Mass

Mass: Mass is the amount of matter present in an object.

Units of Mass

(i) Kilogram (kg)

(ii) Gram (g)

Examples

(i) A watermelon is measured in kilograms.

(ii) A chocolate is measured in grams.

Volume

Volume: Volume is the amount of space occupied by an object.

Units of Volume

(i) Litre (L)

(ii) Millilitre (mL)

Examples

(i) Milk is measured in litres.

(ii) Medicine is measured in millilitres.

Key Points

(i) Transparent materials allow light to pass completely.

(ii) Translucent materials allow only some light to pass.

(iii) Opaque materials do not allow light to pass.

(iv) Sugar and salt are soluble in water.

(v) Sand and chalk powder are insoluble in water.

(vi) Mass is measured in kilograms and grams.

(vii) Volume is measured in litres and millilitres.

Matter

Matter: Anything that has mass and occupies space is called matter.

Examples of Matter

(i) Air

(ii) Water

(iii) Stone

(iv) Wood

(v) Iron

Characteristics of Matter

(i) Has mass.

(ii) Occupies space.

(iii) Exists all around us.

Importance of Material Properties

Importance of Material Properties: The properties of a material help us choose the right material for a particular use.

Applications of Materials in Daily Life

Applications of Materials: Different materials are used for different purposes according to their properties.

Common Uses of Materials

(i) Making furniture.

(ii) Manufacturing utensils.

(iii) Building houses and bridges.

(iv) Preparing medicines.

(v) Making sports equipment.

(vi) Producing transparent windows.

(vii) Making waterproof products.

Choosing the Right Material

Choosing the Right Material: The choice of a material depends on its properties and the purpose for which it is used.

Examples

(i) Glass is used for windows because it is transparent.

(ii) Iron is used for tools because it is hard and strong.

(iii) Cotton is used for clothes because it is soft and comfortable.

(iv) Plastic is used for bottles because it is light and waterproof.

Quick Revision

(i) Every object is made from one or more materials.

(ii) Materials are classified according to their properties.

(iii) Lustrous materials have a shiny surface.

(iv) Hard materials resist scratching, while soft materials can be pressed easily.

(v) Transparent materials allow light to pass through completely.

(vi) Translucent materials allow only some light to pass.

(vii) Opaque materials do not allow light to pass.

(viii) Sugar and salt are soluble in water.

(ix) Sand and chalk powder are insoluble in water.

(x) Mass is measured in kilograms and grams.

(xi) Volume is measured in litres and millilitres.

(xii) Matter has mass and occupies space.

(xiii) The properties of materials decide their uses.