Material Properties

What is the core difference between a physical property and a working property of a material?

A physical property is inherent to a material ('what it is'), whereas a working property describes how it behaves when manipulated or subjected to external forces.

What is a 'physical property' of a material?

An inherent trait a material possesses before it is used, which cannot be changed.

What is a 'working property' of a material?

A description of how a material responds to external actions, such as being heated, twisted, or compressed.

Working properties describe how a material behaves when it is __________.

manipulated

Physical properties are the traits a material has _______ it is used.

before

Name the five physical properties of materials listed in the source documents.

Absorbency, Density, Fusibility, Electrical conductivity, and Thermal conductivity.

Name the six working properties of materials listed in the source documents.

Strength, Hardness, Toughness, Malleability, Ductility, and Elasticity.

Define the physical property of 'Absorbency'.

The ability of a material to soak up moisture, light, or heat.

Which general category of materials, such as cotton or paper, tends to be more absorbent?

Natural materials.

Define the physical property of 'Density'.

A measure of how solid a material is, calculated by its mass per unit volume.

How is the density of a material measured or calculated?

By dividing its mass (in grams) by its volume (in cm³).

Define the physical property of 'Fusibility'.

The ability of a material to be heated and joined to another material when cooled.

Fusibility is the ability to be 'fused' or converted from a solid to a _______ by heat.

liquid

Define the physical property of 'Electrical conductivity'.

The ability of a material to conduct an electrical current.

List two examples of metals that are good electrical conductors.

Copper and silver (also gold and aluminium are correct).

Define the physical property of 'Thermal conductivity'.

The ability of a material to allow the transfer of heat through it.

Why would a steel pan handle be inappropriate for a user?

Because steel is a good thermal conductor and would conduct too much heat, burning the user.

Which material is suggested as a more appropriate alternative to steel for a pan handle due to being a poor conductor of heat?

Beech.

Define the working property of 'Strength'.

The ability of a material to withstand forces such as compression, tension, and shear.

Define the working property of 'Hardness'.

The ability to resist wear, indents, and damage from impact.

What is a potential negative consequence of a material being very hard?

It can become brittle and may snap or crack under impact.

Which wood is cited as being harder than pine because it is more difficult to dent?

Oak.

Define the working property of 'Toughness'.

The ability to absorb energy through shock without fracturing or snapping.

What material, used in bulletproof vests, is given as an example of a very tough material?

Kevlar.

Define the working property of 'Malleability'.

The ability of a material to be bent, shaped, or deformed under compression without cracking.

What type of material, such as steel or silver, can be hammered into shape, demonstrating malleability?

Sheet metal.

Define the working property of 'Ductility'.

The ability of a material to be stretched, for example into wires, without snapping.

Pulling which metal into a wire is given as an example to show that it is ductile?

Copper.

Define the working property of 'Elasticity'.

The ability of a material to be stretched or compressed and then return to its original shape.

Which material, found in swimming costumes, is highlighted as being highly elastic?

Elastane.