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Class 6th Chapters
1. The Wonderful World of Science 2. Diversity in the Living World 3. Mindful Eating: A Path to a Healthy Body
4. Exploring Magnets 5. Measurement of Length and Motion 6. Materials Around Us
7. Temperature and its Measurement 8. A Journey through States of Water 9. Methods of Separation in Everyday Life
10. Living Creatures: Exploring their Characteristics 11. Nature’s Treasures 12. Beyond Earth



Chapter 6: Materials Around Us



1. Introduction to Materials and Objects

Every object we see around us is created from one or more substances. Any substance used to create an object is called a material. Science helps us understand that:


Historical Perspective: Indian Pottery

India has a sophisticated history of material science, specifically in pottery production:


Object Primary Material
Notebook Paper
Tumbler Glass / Steel
Crucible Clay / Iron
Pot Terracotta (Baked Clay)


2. Classification and Grouping of Materials

The world is full of diverse objects. To study them effectively, we use Classification, which is the method of arranging objects into groups based on common properties.


How do we choose a Material?

We do not choose materials randomly. The selection depends on two main factors:

  1. Properties of the Material: Does it have the required strength, texture, or ability?
  2. Purpose of the Object: What will the object be used for?

Consider these examples of purpose-driven selection:


Example 1. A student in Mumbai visits a sports complex. He observes three types of balls: a Leather Cricket ball ($\text{₹} \ 500$), a Rubber Tennis ball ($\text{₹} \ 80$), and a Foam Hand exercise ball ($\text{₹} \ 120$). Identify the most elastic ball and find the total cost of all three.

Answer:

The Tennis ball is the most elastic as it achieves the highest bounce due to its rubber material.

$\text{Total Cost} = \text{₹} \ 500 + \text{₹} \ 80 + \text{₹} \ 120 = \text{₹} \ 700$



3. Physical Properties: Appearance and Hardness

Materials are often classified based on their Physical Appearance (how they look) and their Texture/Hardness (how they feel).


Appearance: Lustre

Materials that have a shiny surface are said to have Lustre. This is a primary characteristic of Metals.


Hardness and Compressibility

Hardness refers to how difficult it is to scratch or compress a material.


Property Classification Table

Material Gold Ornament Wooden Log Sponge Iron Key Chalk
Appearance Lustrous Dull Dull Lustrous (if new) Dull
Hardness Hard Hard Soft Hard Soft


4. Transparency: Seeing Through Materials

The property of a material that allows us to see through it is known as transparency. Based on this, matter is divided into three categories:


Types of Materials Based on Light Transmission

  1. Transparent Materials:
    • These allow light to pass through completely.
    • We can see through them clearly.
    • Examples: Glass, clear water, air, and cellophane paper.
  2. Opaque Materials:
    • These do not allow any light to pass through.
    • We cannot see through them at all.
    • Examples: Wooden boards, cardboard, and metal sheets.
  3. Translucent Materials:
    • These allow light to pass through partially.
    • We can see through them, but not clearly (hazy view).
    • Examples: Butter paper, frosted glass, and oily paper.

Diagram representing transparent glass, translucent frosted glass and opaque wood

Understanding these properties helps us in daily activities, like playing hide and seek or choosing the right material for window panes in Indian homes.



5. Solubility in Water

Water is known as a universal solvent because of its remarkable ability to dissolve a wide variety of substances. This property is essential for the survival of living organisms, including the transport of nutrients in our blood and the survival of aquatic life.


Classification based on Solubility

Substances behave differently when mixed with water. We can classify them as follows:


Solubility of Liquids and Gases

It is not just solids that dissolve in water. Many liquids and gases also interact with water:


Material Behavior in Water (On Stirring) Inference
Sugar Disappears completely Soluble
Sand Settles at the bottom Insoluble
Chalk Powder Makes water cloudy and settles Insoluble
Salt Disappears completely Soluble
Sawdust Floats on the surface Insoluble
Observation Stirring result Solubility status

Indian Perspective: Shikanji and ORS

In Indian households, the property of solubility is used to prepare refreshing drinks and medicine:

The standard formula for Home-made ORS involves:

  1. $1 \text{ Litre}$ of boiled and cooled water.
  2. $6 \text{ teaspoons}$ of Sugar.
  3. $0.5 \text{ teaspoon}$ of Common Salt.


6. Understanding Matter: Mass and Volume

Everything we see, touch, or feel in our surroundings is composed of Matter. Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. This includes everything from the Himalayas to the tiny grains of sand in Rajasthan.


Mass: The Quantity of Matter

The property that tells us how heavy or light an object is refers to its mass. In scientific terms, mass gives the actual quantity of matter present in an object.

$\text{Formula: } 1 \text{ kg} = 1000 \text{ g}$


Volume: The Space Occupied

Every object, whether solid, liquid, or gas, occupies some space. This space is called its volume.


Example 2. A student buys a $2 \text{ L}$ bottle of mineral water for $\text{₹} \ 40$. Convert the volume of water into millilitres ($mL$) and cubic metres ($m^3$).

Answer:

Conversion to Millilitres:

Since $1 \text{ L} = 1000 \text{ mL}$

$\text{Volume} = 2 \times 1000 \text{ mL} = 2000 \text{ mL}$


Conversion to Cubic Metres:

We know that $1000 \text{ L} = 1 \text{ m}^3$

Therefore, $1 \text{ L} = \frac{1}{1000} \text{ m}^3$

$\text{Volume in } m^3 = \frac{2}{1000} \text{ m}^3 = 0.002 \text{ m}^3$

So, a $2 \text{ L}$ bottle occupies $2000 \text{ mL}$ or $0.002 \text{ m}^3$ of space.


Why is Classification of Matter Useful?

Grouping materials based on mass and volume helps us observe patterns and organize our life. For instance:



7. Ancient Indian Perspective (Ayurveda)

Centuries before modern science categorized materials, ancient Indian scholars had developed a highly sophisticated system of classification of physical matter. This is primarily documented in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine.


The Concept of 20 Guṇas (Properties)

The Aṣhtanga hṛidaya Sūtra sthāna 1.18 mentions $20$ properties or Guṇas. These properties are arranged in ten pairs of opposites. They are used to describe the nature of all physical matter, food, plants, animals, and the human body.


Sanskrit Term (Pair A) English Meaning Sanskrit Term (Pair B) English Meaning
Guru Heavy Laghu Light
Manda Slow Tīkṣhṇa Sharp / Quick
Hima Cold Uṣhṇa Hot
Snigdha Oily / Unctuous Rukṣha Dry
Śhlakṣhaṇa Smooth Khara Rough
Sāndra Solid / Dense Drava Liquid / Fluid
Mṛidu Soft Kaṭhina Hard
Sthira Stable / Static Khāla / Sara Unstable / Moving
Sūkṣhma Subtle / Small Sthūla Gross / Big
Viśhada Clear / Non-slimy Picchhila Sticky / Slimy

Significance of this Classification

This ancient system allows us to understand the world in a very practical way:

By studying these properties, we can conclude that classification of the non-living world is as important as the classification of the living world to maintain balance and health.



Let us enhance our learning



Question 1. Visit your kitchen and observe how your parents have organised various edibles. Can you suggest a better sorting method? Write it in your notebook.

Answer:

Question 2. Unscramble the letters (Column I) and match with their properties (Column II).

Column I Column II
(i) T R E M A T (a) Objects can be seen clearly through it
(ii) U L S B E L O (b) Occupies space and has mass
(iii) T N E R P A S N A R T (c) Shiny surface
(iv) E R U S T L (d) Mixes completely in water

Answer:

Question 3. The containers which are used to store materials in shops and at home are usually transparent. Give your reasons for this.

Answer:

Question 4. State whether the statements given below are True [T] or False [F]. Correct the False statement(s).

(i) Wood is translucent while glass is opaque.

(ii) Aluminium foil has lustre while an eraser does not.

(iii) Sugar dissolves in water whereas sawdust does not.

(iv) An apple is a matter because it occupies no space and has mass.

Answer:

Question 5. We see chairs made up of various materials, such as wood, iron, plastic, bamboo, cement and stones. Following are some desirable properties of materials which can be used to make chairs. Which materials used to make chairs fulfil these properties the most?

(i) Hardness (does not bend or shake on sitting even after long use).

(ii) Lightweight (easy to lift or to take from one place to another).

(iii) Does not feel very cold when sitting during winters.

(iv) Can be cleaned regularly and made to look new even after long use.

Answer:

Question 6. You need to have containers for collection of (i) food waste, (ii) broken glass and (iii) wastepaper. Which materials will you choose for containers of these types of waste? What properties of materials do you need to think of?

Answer:

Question 7. Air is all around us but does not hinder us from seeing each other. Whereas, if a wooden door comes in between, we cannot see each other. It is because air is _________ and the wooden door is _________. Choose the most appropriate option:

(i) transparent, opaque

(ii) translucent, transparent

(iii) opaque, translucent

(iv) transparent, translucent

Answer:

Question 8. Imagine you have two mysterious materials, X and Y. When you try to press material X, it feels rigid and does not change its shape easily. On the other hand, material Y easily changes its shape when you press it. Now, when you mix both materials in water, only material X dissolves completely, while material Y remains unchanged. What can materials X and Y be? Can you identify whether material X is hard or soft? What about material Y? Justify your answer.

Answer:

Question 9.

(i) Who am I? Identify me on the basis of the given properties.

(a) I have lustre. _______

(b) I can be easily compressed. _______

(c) I am hard and soluble in water. _______

(d) You cannot see clearly through me. _______

(e) I have mass and volume but you cannot see me. _______

(ii) Make your own ‘Who am I?’

Answer:

Question 10. You are provided with the following materials—vinegar, honey, mustard oil, water, glucose and wheat flour. Make any two pairs of materials where one material is soluble in the other. Now, make two pairs of materials where one material remains insoluble in the other material.

Answer: