Materials and Moving Things: Foundation Study Guide
Different materials are good for different jobs, and forces make things move.
Objects are made of materials such as wood, metal, plastic, glass, fabric and paper. Each material has properties, which are words that describe it: hard, soft, rough, smooth, bendy, shiny, waterproof. We choose a material because its properties suit the job.
Things move when something pushes or pulls them. A push moves an object away from you, like pushing a swing. A pull moves it towards you, like pulling a wagon. The shape of an object also affects how it moves: balls roll, but boxes slide.
Choosing materials
| Object | Material | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Raincoat | Plastic | Waterproof |
| Window | Glass | Clear, lets in light |
| Saucepan | Metal | Strong, handles heat |
| Jumper | Wool | Soft and warm |
Pushes and pulls
A bigger push makes an object move faster or further. A rolling ball stops because of friction with the ground. A smooth floor has less friction than carpet, so a ball rolls further on it. Children can test this with a ramp and a toy car.
Does the car go further on the floor or carpet?
I think the floor.
Release it from the same point.
It went further on the floor.
Floating and sinking
Some objects float and some sink. A cork floats but a coin sinks. Shape matters too: a flat piece of foil floats but a tight ball of foil may sink. Let children predict before testing and record the results in a chart.
Worked examples and common mistakes
Example: Which material would you choose for a boot to walk in puddles? Rubber, because it is waterproof. Example: Is lifting a bucket a push or a pull? A pull. Common mistakes: thinking heavy things always sink (a huge ship floats) and mixing up 'push' and 'pull'. Try each action physically and describe the movement.
Check your understanding: model answers
1. Soft: wool. Hard: metal. Waterproof: plastic or rubber. 2. A pull, because you move the drawer towards you (closing it is a push). 3. A wooden block usually floats. Test it in a basin of water and compare it with your prediction.
✨ Key Takeaways
- Materials have properties that make them suitable for jobs.
- Pushes and pulls make things move.
- Smoother surfaces have less friction.
- Test and predict before drawing conclusions.
💬 Questions for Discussion & Reflection
- Name a soft, a hard and a waterproof material.
- Is opening a drawer a push or a pull?
- Predict whether a wooden block floats, then test it.
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