Materials Around Us - Structure and Design Challenges

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Date:

🔬 Part 1: Material Structure and Properties

1. Materials are made up of tiny particles. What are these particles called?

Atoms and molecules

Rocks and stones

Dust and dirt

Water and air

2. Which material property is affected by how tightly packed the particles are?

Colour

Hardness

Smell

Taste

3. Glass is transparent because:

It has no particles

Light can pass through the spaces between particles

It is made of water

It is very thin

4. Which materials have particles that can move around easily? (Select all that apply)

Water

Steel

Air

Wood

🤔 Part 2: Critical Thinking - Material Applications

5. Explain why rubber is used to make car tyres instead of glass. Think about the particle structure of each material.

6. Windows are made from glass rather than wood. Using your knowledge of particle structure, explain why glass is better for this purpose.

7. Steel is used to build bridges because it is very strong. What do you think the particle structure of steel is like? Describe it in your own words.

8. Fill in the blanks: Materials with particles that are __________ packed together are usually harder, whilst materials with particles that are __________ packed are usually softer and more flexible.