In this chapter, you will learn to: / classify materials as natural or synthetic / explain the life cycle of a product / describe how each stage of the product life cycle can be made more sustainable.
Materials
A material is the matter that products are made from. Materials can come from natural sources, e.g. oil, metals and stone. If a material is manufactured and not found in nature, it is synthetic, e.g. plastics and medicines.
A product must be made from materials with properties that are fit for purpose, e.g. a rain jacket needs to be made from waterproof material and not material that will absorb water.
The table below explains the common properties of materials: Property
Meaning
Absorbent Elastic Flexible
Transparent Strong
? TEST TUBE
1. Classify the following materials as either natural or synthetic: a. polyvinyl chloride (PVC) b. wood c. cotton d. plastic
e. glass f. paper g. rock h. leather
e. elastic band f. hiking boots g. PVC pipes h. nylon rope
i. nylon j. copper wire
k. wool l. rubber
2. Name the properties that materials need to have to make the following products: a. kitchen towel b. umbrella c. blanket d. window
230 Elements of Science
i. plastic bag j. motorcycle helmet k. saucepan
The material can soak up liquid easily.
The material can stretch and then return to shape. The material can bend without breaking. The material is see-through.
The material cannot be broken easily.
:Fig. 24.1 Materials should be fit for purpose Opposite