Properties of Materials - Presentation

The presentation on the properties of materials delves into the fascinating world of Chemistry, focusing on understanding and identifying the characteristics of various substances. Students will explore the intriguing questions of why certain materials like rubber can stretch and return to their original shape, and what makes metals distinct in their properties. The lesson aims to equip students with the ability to differentiate between materials that can be stretched and those that cannot, recognize the resilience of materials like rubber, and describe the unique properties of metals.

Interactive methods are employed to make learning engaging and practical. Students will examine the properties of different materials, both natural and man-made, such as rubber (from tree sap), wool (from sheep), and wood (from trees), as well as glass (from heated sand), plastic (from oil), and metals (from rocks). The session includes hands-on activities like the Curly Wurly Challenge, where students observe the effects of heat on materials by stretching a warm Curly Wurly bar and discussing the properties of warm toffee and chocolate. Additionally, they will investigate the properties of metals through experiments with water and coins, and by observing the color and hardness of various metals. By the end of the presentation, students should be able to articulate the main property of a rubber band, identify a brittle material, and name a metal that isn't grey, thereby enhancing their understanding of the properties of materials around them.