Ch 8.

3 Worksheet: Physical Properties of Materials

Part A: Definitions Definitions:

Match the terms to their correct
definitions. a) Can be stretched into wires.
b) Breaks easily when bent or hit.
1. Ductile ______ c) Allows light to pass through without
2. Malleable ______ scattering.
3. Brittle ______ d) Does not let water pass through.
4. Absorbent ______ e) Can return to its original shape after
5. Rigid ______ bending.
6. Transparent ______ f) Cannot be bent or squashed.
7. Flexible ______ g) Transfers electricity effectively.
8. Density ______ h) Refers to how much substance is
9. Waterproof ______ packed in a specific volume.
10. Electrical Conductor ______ i) Can soak up water.
11. Thermal Conductor ______ j) Can be hammered or rolled into sheets
12. Thermal Insulator ______ without breaking.
k) Allows heat to pass through.
l) Does not allow heat to pass through.

Part B: True or False

Write T for true and F for false.

1. Glass is malleable. ______

2. Diamond is an example of a hard material. ______
3. Plastic is a good heat conductor. ______
4. Rubber is flexible. ______
5. Metals are good electrical conductors. ______
6. Wood is waterproof. ______
7. A material with low density will sink in water. ______
8. Silicone is an example of a flexible material. ______

Part C: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct answer.
 1. What property describes materials that do not let light pass through?
a) Transparent
b) Translucent
c) Opaque
2. Which material is the best electrical conductor?
a) Plastic
b) Wood
c) Copper
3. Which of the following is NOT a physical property?
a) Color
b) Weight
c) Density
4. What property does a sponge demonstrate?
a) Absorbent
b) Waterproof
c) Hard
5. Which of these is an example of a heat insulator?
a) Iron
b) Plastic
c) Copper
6. Why is aluminum used in making cooking utensils?
a) It is malleable.
b) It is brittle.
c) It conducts heat well.
7. What property allows substances like salt to dissolve in water?
a) Flexibility
b) Solubility
c) Transparency
8. Which material is the most malleable?
a) Gold
b) Glass
c) Steel

Part D: Application Questions

 1. Why are flexible materials used in making bows and arrows?
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2. Why does ice float on water?
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3. If you were designing a raincoat, which physical properties of the material
would you prioritize and why?
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4. Why do electrical wires have a copper core and a plastic coating?
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Part E: Experiment Design

1. Eggshell Brittleness Test
Design an experiment to compare the brittleness of hen, duck, and goose eggshells.
Include:

• Materials needed
• Steps of the procedure
• Observations and measurements

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2. Testing Density
Describe how you would test the density of three different materials. List the
materials, steps, and how you would calculate density.
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Part F: Fill in the Blanks

1. A __________ material allows electricity to flow through it.

2. A __________ material does not let heat transfer through it.
3. __________ is a property where light passes through but objects cannot be
seen clearly.
4. __________ refers to how well a material dissolves in another substance.
5. The __________ scale measures the hardness of minerals.
6. The __________ of water is 1.0 g/cm³.
7. __________ materials can soak up liquids, like a sponge.
8. __________ materials, like gold, can be shaped into thin sheets.

Part G: Observation Activity

Observe objects around you and classify them based on their physical properties. Fill
in the table:

Object Material Property Observed Reason

Example: Window Glass Transparent Allows light to pass through.

Part H: Short Answer

1. Explain the difference between thermal conductors and thermal insulators

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2. How does the density of a material affect whether it sinks or floats in water?
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3. Why is gold used in jewelry despite being soft?
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 4. Why are umbrellas made of waterproof materials?
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Part I: Mohs Scale of Hardness

Research or review the Mohs scale of hardness. Answer the following:

1. What is the hardest material on the scale?

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2. What is the softest material?
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3. If you had a piece of quartz and a piece of feldspar, which would scratch the
other?
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Answer Key: Physical Properties of Materials Worksheet

Part A: Definitions

1. a) Can be stretched into wires. (Ductile)

2. j) Can be hammered or rolled into sheets without breaking. (Malleable)
3. b) Breaks easily when bent or hit. (Brittle)
4. i) Can soak up water. (Absorbent)
5. f) Cannot be bent or squashed. (Rigid)
6. c) Allows light to pass through without scattering. (Transparent)
7. e) Can return to its original shape after bending. (Flexible)
8. h) Refers to how much substance is packed in a specific volume. (Density)
9. d) Does not let water pass through. (Waterproof)
10. g) Transfers electricity effectively. (Electrical Conductor)
11. k) Allows heat to pass through. (Thermal Conductor)
12. l) Does not allow heat to pass through. (Thermal Insulator)

Part B: True or False

1. F (Glass is brittle, not malleable.)

2. T
3. F (Plastic is a thermal insulator.)
4. T
5. T
6. F (Wood is not waterproof unless treated.)
7. F (Materials with low density, like ice, float in water.)
8. T

Part C: Multiple Choice

1. c) Opaque
2. c) Copper
3. b) Weight
4. a) Absorbent
 5. b) Plastic
6. c) It conducts heat well.
7. b) Solubility
8. a) Gold

Part D: Application Questions

1. Flexible materials like wood or rubber are used in bows because they can store
elastic energy when bent and release it efficiently to propel an arrow.
2. Ice floats on water because its density (0.92 g/cm³) is less than the density of
liquid water (1.0 g/cm³).
3. For a raincoat, prioritize waterproof and flexible properties to keep water out
while allowing easy movement.
4. Copper conducts electricity well, making it suitable for the core of wires,
while plastic is an insulator that prevents electric shocks.

Part E: Experiment Design

1. Eggshell Brittleness Test

• Materials: Hen, duck, and goose eggs; a ruler; weights.

• Steps: Place each egg upright on a flat surface. Drop weights from increasing
heights onto the eggs and observe cracks. Compare brittleness based on the
ease and size of cracking.
• Observation: Record which egg cracks first and how much force it took.

2. Testing Density

• Materials: Three solid objects, a measuring cylinder, water, and a balance.

• Steps: Measure the mass of each object. Fill the cylinder with water and note
the initial volume. Submerge each object and record the new volume.
Calculate density using: Density=MassVolume Displacement\text{Density} =
\frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Volume
Displacement}}Density=Volume DisplacementMass

Part F: Fill in the Blanks

 1. Electrical conductor
2. Thermal insulator
3. Translucent
4. Solubility
5. Mohs scale
6. Density
7. Absorbent
8. Malleable

Part G: Observation Activity

Property
Object Material Reason
Observed
Example:
Glass Transparent Allows light to pass through.
Window
Fabric Repels water and keeps wearer
Raincoat Waterproof
(synthetic) dry.
Rubber band Rubber Flexible Can bend and return to shape.
Thermal Conducts heat when stirring
Metal spoon Metal
conductor hot food.

Part H: Short Answer

1. Thermal conductors allow heat to pass through easily, while insulators prevent
heat transfer.
2. Materials with low density (e.g., ice) float because they displace more water
relative to their weight.
3. Gold is used in jewelry for its malleability, which allows it to be shaped easily,
and its resistance to tarnish.
4. Umbrellas are made of waterproof materials to prevent water from passing
through and soaking the user.

Part I: Mohs Scale of Hardness

1. The hardest material is diamond.
2. The softest material is talc.
3. Quartz (hardness 7) would scratch feldspar (hardness 6).