SF.3.a Material properties

The question "Into how many pieces does a material break?" best corresponds with which material property?

• Brittleness

• Ductility

• Conductivity

• Plasticity

The question "How easily can the material be stretched into a wire?" best corresponds with which material property?

• Brittleness

• Ductility

• Conductivity

• Plasticity

The question "How easily is the material able to be shaped?" best corresponds with which material property?

• Brittleness

• Ductility

• Conductivity

• Plasticity

The question "How well does the material transfer heat/electricity?" best corresponds with which material property?

• Brittleness

• Ductility

• Conductivity

• Plasticity

The question "How easily is the material scratched?" best corresponds with which material property?

• Hardness

• Resistance to water

• Compression strength

• Tensile strength

Answer explanation

Hardness is measured on the Mohs Hardness Scale

The question "How much pulling force can the material take? " best corresponds with which material property?

• Hardness

• Hydrophobic

• Compression strength

• Tensile strength

The question "How much pushing force can the material take?" best corresponds with which material property?

• Flexibility

• Hydrophobic

• Compression strength

• Tensile strength

Answer explanation

The question "How resistant to water is the material?" best corresponds with which material property?

• Malleability

• Hydrophobic

• Centre of Gravity

• Tensile strength

Which one's are not material properties? (Select all that apply)

• Mass

• Density

• Volume

• Melting temperature

• Temperature

Answer explanation

•Key idea! Weight, volume, mass, temperature ARE NOT material properties!

•Huh?...well, because it doesn’t matter “how much” titanium we have, it will always be ductile, hard, and have a melting point of 1,668 °C.

•Think about it: telling someone that you have 10kg vs 100kg of a material tells you nothing about what kind of material that is! Titanium, uranium, or plastic? Who knows!

•Mass and volume alone don’t define a material’s identity, rather its density does. Likewise, a material’s temperature doesn’t define the material, rather it’s melting point does.

When selecting materials for a structure, what are some other considerations? (Select all that apply)

• Cost & availability

• Aesthetics

• Environmental impact

• Energy efficiency