Chapter 6
🔩 Materials Around Us
Curiosity | NCERT Grade 6 Science
📚 Table of Contents
📷 Objects around us — made from different materials
👀 6.1 Observing Objects Around Us
Look around you! Every object you see is made from some material — the pen is plastic and metal, the book is paper, the chair is wood or plastic.
📖 What is a Material?
A material is any substance used to create an object. Examples: paper, wood, metal, plastic, glass, rubber, clay, fabric. An object can be made from different materials. For example, a pen is made of plastic (body), metal (tip), and ink. Also, the same material can be used to make different objects — iron is used in nails, bridges, and pans!
🏺 Ancient Indian Pottery
The earliest pottery in the Indian subcontinent dates back 7,000-8,000 years in the Ganga plains (Lahuradewa). The Harappan Civilisation (2600-1900 BCE) developed advanced pottery with decorative designs, multiple colours, and protective coats!📦 6.2 How to Group Materials?
We group materials based on their common properties. This process is called classification.
📖 Classification
Classification = Method of arranging objects/materials into groups based on common properties. Makes study easier and helps identify suitable materials for different uses. - Objects can be classified by: colour, shape, hardness, transparency, weight
- One material can have multiple properties — glass is transparent AND hard
- We choose materials based on their properties and purpose
🔍 6.3 Properties of Materials
📷 Testing properties of different materials
| Property | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 💧 Lustre (Shine) | How shiny a surface is | Metals shine (lustrous); rubber, wood don't (non-lustrous) |
| 🪨 Hardness | Resistance to scratching | Diamond (hardest), iron, stone are hard; rubber, foam are soft |
| 🔍 Transparency | How much light passes through | Glass (transparent); frosted glass (translucent); wood (opaque) |
| 💦 Solubility | Ability to dissolve in water | Salt, sugar (soluble); sand, chalk (insoluble) |
| ⚖️ Density | Heavy or light for its size | Iron sinks in water; wood floats |
| 📦 Volume | Amount of space it occupies | Liquids take the shape of container |
🔑 Transparency Types
- Transparent — Light passes through completely, objects seen clearly (e.g., clean glass, water)
- Translucent — Some light passes through, objects appear blurry (e.g., frosted glass, oiled paper)
- Opaque — No light passes through (e.g., wood, metal, stone)
💦 Solubility Key Points
- A solution is formed when a substance (solute) dissolves in a liquid (solvent)
- More of some solutes can be dissolved by heating the solvent
- Oil and water do NOT mix — oil floats on water (immiscible)
📷 Testing transparency of different materials
⚖️ Sinking & Floating
Objects sink if denser than water; float if less dense. A large iron ship floats because its overall density (including air inside) is less than water. But a solid iron ball sinks!⚛️ 6.4 What is Matter?
📖 Definition of Matter
Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space (volume). Everything around us — solids, liquids, gases — is made up of matter. - All materials are made of matter
- Matter exists in three main states: Solid, Liquid, Gas
- Solids — definite shape and volume
- Liquids — definite volume, takes shape of container
- Gases — no definite shape or volume, fills available space
📝 Chapter Summary
- Material = any substance used to make an object
- Classification = grouping based on common properties
- Properties: lustre, hardness, transparency, solubility, density, volume
- Transparent (clear glass) → Translucent (frosted glass) → Opaque (wood)
- Soluble (salt, sugar) vs Insoluble (sand, chalk) in water
- Matter = anything with mass and volume; exists as solid, liquid, gas
Advertisement
⬇ Download PDF
Comments & Doubts
Abhi tak koi comment nahi
Sabse pehle comment karne wale bano!
Apna comment likhein
Doubt ho ya suggestion — kuch bhi poochh sakte hain. Login zaroori nahi hai.