Properties of Materials

What Are Properties?#

Everything around us is made of materials. Your desk, your clothes, the glass in your window, and the apple in your lunch bag are all made of different materials. A property is a word that describes what something is like. When scientists describe objects, they use properties!

Why Do Properties Matter?#

Properties help us choose the right material for the right job. You would not make a raincoat out of paper because paper soaks up water. You would not make a window out of wood because wood is not see-through. Knowing the properties of materials helps us make smart choices!

Describing with Our Senses#

We can learn about properties by using our senses:

• Touch — Is it hard or soft? Rough or smooth? Warm or cold?
• Sight — What color is it? Can you see through it? Is it shiny?
• Hearing — Dös it make a sound when you tap it?
• Weight — Dös it feel heavy or light?

Common Properties#

Here are some pairs of properties that are opposites:

• Hard / Soft — A rock is hard. A pillow is soft.
• Rough / Smooth — Sandpaper is rough. Glass is smooth.
• Heavy / Light — A brick is heavy. A feather is light.
• Transparent / Opaque — Glass is transparent (you can see through it). Wood is opaque (you cannot see through it).
• Shiny / Dull — A mirror is shiny. A piece of chalk is dull.
• Stretchy / Stiff — A rubber band is stretchy. A ruler is stiff.
• Waterproof / Absorbent — Plastic is waterproof (water cannot pass through). A sponge is absorbent (it soaks up water).

By learning these properties, you can describe almost any object in the world! Let's explore each one a little more.