Chapter 2: Exploring Diversity of Matter by its Physical Properties Flashcards
What are the 5 main classes of materials?
- Ceramic
- Metal
- Glass
- Plastic
- Fibres
Properties of ceramics
- made from clay
- poor conductor of electricity
- hard
- can be moulded into shapes
- does not corrode
- has a high melting point
- fragile
Properties of metal
Shiny
Good conductor of electricity and heat
Can be moulded into shapes
Can be bent without breaking
Properties of glass
Transparent
Poor conductor of heat and electricity
Can be moulded into shapes
Has a high melting point
Fragile
Properties of plastic
Lightweight
Doesn’t corrode
Can be moulded into shapes
Has a low melting point
Poor conductor of electricity
Poor conductor of heat
Properties of fibre
Can be spun into threads and woven into fabrics
Able to absorb dyes
Poor conductor of heat and electricity
What are physical properties of materials?
The physical properties of a material are qualities that can be observed and measured without changing its composition. E.g. colours, transparency, and texture.
What does it mean to be a conductor of electricity?
To allow an electric current to flow through them easily.
What is electrical conductivity?
It is the measure of how easily an electric current flows through it.
Why does electrical wires have insulation around them?
To protect us from electric shocks.
What does it mean to have high thermal conductivity?
To allow heat to flow through easily.
What is thermal conductivity?
The measure of how easily heat flows through something
What is strength?
The ability to support a heavy load without changing its shape permanently
What is hardness?
The ability to resist wears, tears and scratches.
Hard materials can scratch materials that are softer than itself.
What is flexibility?
The ability to bend without breaking and return to its initial shape and size after bending. (E.g. plastic ruler being bent.)
