Chapter-4

Sorting materials into groups

1. Why is sorting materials into groups important?

Sorting helps us organize materials based on their properties, making it easier to
study, use, and identify them for different purposes.

2. What do we mean by the properties of materials?

Properties are the characteristics of materials, such as appearance, hardness,
solubility, transparency, and conductivity, which help us distinguish one material
from another.

3. What is a material?
A material is anything that has mass and occupies space. It is used to make
different objects and can be classified based on its properties.

4. Give examples of everyday materials and their uses.

Wood (used to make furniture), plastic (used for containers), metal (used for
tools), glass (used for windows), cotton (used for clothes).

5. What is meant by the appearance of materials?

Appearance refers to how materials look, including their color, texture, and
whether they are shiny or dull.
6. What are lustrous materials? Give examples.
Lustrous materials are those that have a shiny surface, like metals such as gold,
silver, and aluminum.

7. What are non-lustrous materials? Give examples.

Non-lustrous materials do not have a shiny appearance, like rubber, wood, and
cloth.

8. How do we classify materials based on hardness?

Materials can be classified as hard or soft. Hard materials are difficult to compress
or scratch (like iron), while soft materials are easily compressible or scratched
(like sponge or cotton).

9. What are transparent materials?

Transparent materials allow light to pass through them completely, making
objects on the other side visible, like glass or clear plastic.

10. What are opaque materials?

Opaque materials do not allow light to pass through them, so objects behind
them cannot be seen, like wood or metal.

11. What are translucent materials?

Translucent materials allow some light to pass through but not enough to see
clearly, like frosted glass or butter paper.
12. Give examples of objects made from metals.
Coins, utensils, vehicles, and tools are often made from metals like iron, copper,
and aluminum.

13. What are the three states of matter?

Solid, liquid, and gas.

14. Why do we use glass for windows?

Glass is transparent, allowing light to pass through while providing a barrier
against wind and rain.

15. What are soluble substances?

Soluble substances dissolve in water, like salt or sugar.

16. What are insoluble substances?

Insoluble substances do not dissolve in water, like sand or oil.

17. Why is sugar considered a soluble substance?

Sugar dissolves completely when stirred in water, making it a soluble substance.

18. Can metals be classified as transparent? Why or why not?

No, metals are generally opaque and do not allow light to pass through them.

19. What does buoyancy refer to?

Buoyancy is the ability of an object to float in a liquid.
20. Which materials float in water?
Materials like wood, plastic, and cork float in water because they are less dense
than water.

21. Which materials sink in water?

Materials like metal and stone sink in water because they are denser than water.

22. What is the basis for grouping materials in science?

Materials are grouped based on their properties like appearance, hardness,
solubility, transparency, and behavior in water.

23. Why are some materials grouped together as transparent?

Transparent materials allow us to see through them clearly, so they are grouped
together based on this property.

24. How do we determine whether a material is soft or hard?

We determine this by trying to compress, scratch, or press the material. Hard
materials resist scratching or compressing, while soft materials do not.

25. What kind of materials are used to make utensils?

Metals like steel, copper, and aluminum are used because they are hard, durable,
and conduct heat well.
26. Why is cotton considered a soft material?
Cotton is easily compressible and feels soft to the touch, making it suitable for
making clothes and bedding.

27. What are objects made from rubber used for?

Rubber is elastic and flexible, so it is used to make tires, erasers, and gloves.

28. Why is it important to know whether a material is soluble or insoluble?

Knowing whether a material is soluble or insoluble helps us decide how to use it,
especially when mixing substances in water.

29. What are some materials used in the construction of buildings?

Bricks, cement, wood, steel, and glass are commonly used in construction due to
their strength, durability, and other useful properties.

30. What is the role of plastic in everyday life?

Plastic is lightweight, durable, and resistant to water, making it useful for
packaging, containers, and a variety of household items.

31. How are metals useful in cooking?

Metals like aluminum and stainless steel are good conductors of heat, which is
why they are used to make pots, pans, and other cooking utensils.

32. What makes glass different from plastic?

Glass is brittle and transparent, while plastic is flexible and can be opaque or
transparent.
33. Why are wooden materials often used for furniture?
Wood is strong, durable, and can be easily shaped into furniture. It also has a
natural aesthetic appeal.

34. What is a conductor?

A conductor is a material that allows electricity or heat to pass through it easily.

35. Give examples of good conductors of electricity.

Metals like copper, aluminum, and silver are good conductors of electricity.

36. What is an insulator?

An insulator is a material that does not allow electricity or heat to pass through it
easily.

37. Give examples of good insulators.

Rubber, plastic, and wood are good insulators.

38. Why are metals used to make electrical wires?

Metals like copper and aluminum are used because they are excellent conductors
of electricity.

39. Why are plastic coverings used for electrical wires?

Plastic is a good insulator, which helps prevent electric shocks and protects the
wires.
40. What is meant by the term 'classification'?
Classification is the process of grouping materials based on their similarities and
differences.

41. Why do we classify materials?

Classification helps us organize and understand materials better by grouping them
based on their properties, making it easier to select the right material for a
specific purpose.

42. What is the difference between hard and soft materials?

Hard materials are difficult to compress or scratch, like metal or stone, while soft
materials can be easily compressed or scratched, like cotton or sponge.

43. Why are clothes made of cotton preferred in summer?

Cotton is a soft and breathable material that absorbs sweat, keeping the body
cool during hot weather.

44. What property of glass makes it useful for making spectacles?

Glass is transparent, allowing light to pass through clearly, which makes it useful
for making lenses in spectacles.

45. What does density have to do with whether a material floats or sinks?
Materials with lower density than water float, while materials with higher density
than water sink.
46. Why do we use materials like steel to make bridges?
Steel is strong, durable, and can withstand heavy loads, making it ideal for
constructing bridges.

47. How is sugar different from sand when mixed in water?

Sugar dissolves in water (soluble), while sand does not dissolve (insoluble).

48. Why is wood used to make matchsticks?

Wood is a flammable material that burns easily, making it ideal for matchsticks.

49. What is the relationship between appearance and classification?

Appearance, such as color and shine, is one of the properties used to classify
materials into different groups.

50. Why is stainless steel used for making kitchen utensils?

Stainless steel is a hard, durable metal that does not rust easily, making it ideal for
kitchen utensils.

51. What is meant by solubility?

Solubility is the ability of a substance to dissolve in a liquid, such as water.

52. Why are plastic bottles used for storing water?

Plastic is lightweight, non-reactive with water, and does not break easily, making
it ideal for storing liquids.
53. What happens when sugar is mixed with water?
Sugar dissolves completely in water, forming a sugar solution.

54. What is an example of an insoluble material in water?

Sand is an example of a material that does not dissolve in water.

55. Why is it important to classify materials based on solubility?

Classifying materials based on solubility helps us determine their uses in cooking,
cleaning, and industrial processes.

56. What materials are commonly used to make raincoats?

Raincoats are often made from waterproof materials like plastic or rubber.

57. Why do some materials float while others sink in water?

Materials that are less dense than water float, while those that are denser sink.

58. What is a solution?

A solution is a mixture where a substance (solute) dissolves in a liquid (solvent) to
form a uniform mixture.

59. Give an example of a solution.

Salt water is an example of a solution, where salt dissolves in water.

60. Why is copper used for making electrical wires?

Copper is a good conductor of electricity and is flexible, making it ideal for wiring.
61. What materials are used for making toys?
Toys are often made from plastic because it is light, durable, and can be molded
into various shapes.

62. What are the advantages of using glass to make windows?

Glass is transparent, strong, and does not react with most substances, making it
suitable for windows.

63. Why do we use iron to make tools?

Iron is strong, hard, and durable, which makes it suitable for making tools and
machinery.

64. What is a translucent material?

A translucent material allows some light to pass through but scatters it, making
objects on the other side appear blurry.

65. Why do we use transparent materials for making spectacles?

Transparent materials, like glass, allow clear vision by letting light pass through
without obstruction.

66. What are the uses of cotton in daily life?

Cotton is used to make clothes, bedding, and soft items due to its softness,
breathability, and absorbency.
67. Why is it important to know if a material conducts electricity?
Knowing if a material conducts electricity helps in selecting materials for electrical
wiring and safety applications.

68. What are examples of good conductors of heat?

Metals like copper, aluminum, and iron are good conductors of heat, making
them ideal for cooking utensils.

69. What are examples of poor conductors (insulators) of heat?

Materials like wood, plastic, and rubber are poor conductors of heat and are used
for insulation.

70. Why are kitchen handles made from materials like plastic or wood?
Plastic and wood are poor conductors of heat, so they prevent burns when
handling hot objects.

71. What are some properties used to classify materials?

Properties such as appearance, hardness, solubility, transparency, and
conductivity are used to classify materials.

72. What materials are commonly used to make furniture?

Wood, plastic, and metal are commonly used to make furniture due to their
strength and durability.
73. Why are some materials used to make sports equipment?
Materials like rubber, plastic, and metal are used to make sports equipment
because they are durable, flexible, and lightweight.

74. How do we classify materials based on transparency?

Materials are classified as transparent, translucent, or opaque based on how
much light they allow to pass through.

75. Why is it important to classify materials as biodegradable and non-

biodegradable?
Classifying materials this way helps us understand their environmental impact and
how they should be disposed of.

76. What are biodegradable materials?

Biodegradable materials can break down naturally by microorganisms, like paper,
cotton, and food waste.

77. What are non-biodegradable materials?

Non-biodegradable materials do not break down easily in nature, like plastic,
glass, and metals.

78. Why do we use metals for making machines?

Metals are strong, durable, and can withstand high temperatures, making them
ideal for machinery.
79. What are the characteristics of glass?
Glass is transparent, brittle, and non-reactive, which makes it useful for windows,
containers, and laboratory equipment.

80. How are objects grouped based on their uses?

Objects are grouped based on their specific functions, such as cooking,
construction, or packaging.

81. Why is it important to know whether a material can float or sink?

Knowing if a material floats or sinks helps in designing boats, life jackets, and
other objects used in water.

82. What materials are used to make packaging materials?

Materials like plastic, paper, and cardboard are used for packaging because they
are lightweight and can protect goods during transport.

83. What are the properties of plastic that make it useful?

Plastic is durable, lightweight, waterproof, and can be molded into different
shapes, making it useful in a variety of applications.

84. What is the role of metals in construction?

Metals like steel and iron are used in construction for building strong and durable
structures like bridges and buildings.
85. Why is cotton considered a breathable material?
Cotton allows air to pass through, keeping the body cool, which makes it ideal for
clothing in hot weather.

86. What are some common uses of paper?

Paper is used for writing, printing, packaging, and making crafts because it is
lightweight and can be easily shaped.

87. Why are some materials transparent?

Transparent materials, like glass, have molecular structures that allow light to
pass through without scattering.

88. What materials are used to make footwear?

Materials like leather, rubber, and fabric are used to make footwear because they
are flexible and durable.

89. Why is it important to classify materials based on electrical conductivity?

Classifying materials this way helps us choose the right materials for electrical
appliances and wiring.

90. What are the properties of rubber?

Rubber is flexible, waterproof, and a good insulator, making it useful for making
tires, gloves, and electrical insulation.

91. What is the difference between opaque and translucent materials?

Opaque materials do not allow any light to pass through, while translucent
materials allow some light to pass but not clearly.
92. Why are some materials preferred for making kitchen appliances?
Materials like stainless steel and plastic are durable, easy to clean, and safe for
cooking and storing food.

93. What makes metals useful in making electrical appliances?

Metals like copper and aluminum are good conductors of electricity and can be
easily shaped into wires and components.

94. How are transparent materials different from translucent materials?

Transparent materials allow clear visibility through them, while translucent
materials only allow partial visibility.

95. Why is metal used for making coins?

Metals like copper, nickel, and aluminum are durable and resistant to wear,
making them ideal for coins.

96. What materials are used to make household items like containers and
utensils?
Household items are often made from materials like plastic, stainless steel, and
glass, which are durable and easy to clean.

97. Why is it important to know whether a material is hard or soft?

Knowing this helps in selecting the right material for specific purposes, such as
making furniture or soft cushions.
98. What are the uses of paper in daily life?
Paper is used for writing, printing, wrapping, and packaging.

99. How does the appearance of a material affect its use?

The appearance of a material, like whether it is shiny or dull, affects its aesthetic
appeal and suitability for certain uses.

100. Why do we need to sort and classify materials?

Sorting and classifying materials help in understanding their properties, selecting
the right materials for specific uses, and ensuring their efficient and safe use.