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Year 8 - Design and technology

Working properties of materials

Material testing

Unit Summary

This unit will develop pupils' knowledge of the physical and working properties of materials. They will compare material properties through testing, with a focus on metals. The environmental and social impact of materials will also be introduced.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to identify working properties of materials.

Key Notes

  • Material properties describe how a material looks, feels, and behaves.
  • Working properties are the way in which a material responds to an external force or certain environment.
  • Working properties are also called 'mechanical properties' because they relate to how materials behave when used.
  • Working (mechanical) properties help us select materials based on their function.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • working property: the way in which a material responds to an external force or certain environment; also referred to as mechanical properties
  • force: a push, pull or twist that acts on an object
  • material: what a product is made from

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Physical properties and working properties are the same thing.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

Material properties describe how a material looks, feels, and behaves. Working properties are the way in which a material responds to an external force or certain environment.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'working property'

the way in which a material responds to an external force or certain environment; also referred to as mechanical properties.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: Physical properties and working properties are the same thing. Correction: Physical properties describe inherent features (like density, colour, or conductivity), whereas working properties describe how a material behaves under stress (like flexibility, toughness, or hardness).

More Lessons In This Unit

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