CLASS 6 · SCIENCE · CHAPTER 6

Materials Around Us

Easy-to-understand answers to all 10 end-of-chapter questions, with sample answers to the main chapter prompts and activities.

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Textbook pages 119–121

Question 1

Visit your kitchen and observe how edibles are organised. Suggest a better way to sort them.

Steps only

Sample: sort into grains, pulses, spices, oils, and snacks; label and store safely.

Answer

Example: group grains, pulses, spices, oils, and snacks. Label containers and refrigerate foods that spoil quickly.

Question 2

Unscramble and match: T R E M A T; U L S B E L O; T N E R P A S N A R T; E R U S T L. Match with (a) objects seen clearly through it (b) occupies space and has mass (c) shiny surface (d) mixes completely in water.

Steps only

MATTER–b; SOLUBLE–d; TRANSPARENT–a; LUSTRE–c.

Answer

MATTER–(b); SOLUBLE–(d); TRANSPARENT–(a); LUSTRE–(c).

Question 3

Why are containers used to store materials in shops and at home often transparent?

Steps only

We can see what is inside and how much remains.

Answer

Transparent containers let us identify the contents and see how much is left. Some materials still need opaque or airtight containers for protection.

Question 4

Mark each statement True or False, and correct the false ones: (i) Wood is translucent and glass opaque. (ii) Aluminium foil has lustre but an eraser does not. (iii) Sugar dissolves in water but sawdust does not. (iv) An apple is matter because it occupies no space and has mass.

Steps only

(i) F—wood opaque, glass transparent. (ii) T. (iii) T. (iv) F—an apple occupies space.

Answer

(i) False: wood is opaque; clear glass is transparent.
(ii) True.
(iii) True.
(iv) False: an apple is matter because it occupies space and has mass.

Question 5

Choose suitable chair materials for: (i) hardness and long use (ii) light weight (iii) not feeling very cold in winter (iv) easy cleaning and looking new.

Steps only

(i) wood/steel (ii) plastic/light wood (iii) wood/plastic (iv) plastic/finished metal.

Answer

Possible choices:

(i) wood or steel
(ii) plastic or light wood
(iii) wood or plastic
(iv) plastic or finished metal. A chair’s design and quality also matter.

Question 6

Choose materials for containers for (i) food waste (ii) broken glass (iii) wastepaper. What properties should you consider?

Steps only

Food: washable lidded bin. Glass: rigid, labelled safe box. Paper: dry cardboard bin.

Answer

Use a washable, leak-resistant bin for food scraps; a strong, clearly labelled rigid box for broken glass; and a dry cardboard or paper bin for wastepaper. Consider strength, safety, leakage, and recycling.

Question 7

Air does not stop us seeing, but a wooden door does. Choose the correct pair: air is _ and wood is _. (i) transparent, opaque (ii) translucent, transparent (iii) opaque, translucent (iv) transparent, translucent.

Steps only

(i) transparent, opaque.

Answer

(i) transparent, opaque.

Question 8

Material X feels rigid and does not change shape easily when pressed. Material Y changes shape easily. X dissolves in water, but Y does not. Suggest what X and Y could be and classify them as hard or soft.

Steps only

X: hard and soluble (e.g. sugar crystal). Y: soft and insoluble (e.g. sponge).

Answer

X is hard and soluble; a sugar crystal is one possible example. Y is soft and insoluble; a sponge is one possible example. Many materials could fit these clues.

Question 9(i)

Identify materials from the clues: (a) I have lustre. (b) I can be easily compressed. (c) I am hard and soluble in water. (d) You cannot see clearly through me. (e) I have mass and volume but you cannot see me.

Steps only

(a) metal spoon (b) sponge (c) sugar crystal (d) frosted glass (e) air.

Answer

(a) Metal spoon (b) sponge (c) sugar crystal (d) frosted glass (e) air.

Question 9(ii)

Write your own “Who am I?” clue using a material property, then give its answer.

Steps only

Example: “You can see clearly through me.” Answer: clear glass.

Answer

Example: “You can see clearly through me, and I am used in many windows.” Answer: clear glass. Students may write other correct clues.

Question 10

Using vinegar, honey, mustard oil, water, glucose, and wheat flour, give two pairs where one material dissolves in the other and two pairs where it remains insoluble.

Steps only

Soluble: glucose + water; honey + water. Insoluble: mustard oil + water; flour + water.

Answer

Soluble pairs: glucose in water; honey in water. Insoluble pairs: mustard oil in water; wheat flour in water.

Chapter Questions and Activities

Textbook pages 102–118

Question Prompt 1

What does classification mean, and why do we group objects?

Steps only

Grouping by shared properties makes objects easier to study and find.

Answer

Classification is arranging objects into groups by a common property. It helps us study and find objects more easily.

Question Prompt 2

What properties should a material for a tumbler have? Name suitable materials.

Steps only

It should hold water, be safe and washable; glass, metal, or food-safe plastic can work.

Answer

A tumbler should be waterproof, strong enough to hold, safe, and washable. Glass, metal, and suitable food-safe plastic can be used.

Question Prompt 3

Would paper-like material be a good choice for cooking utensils?

Steps only

No. Paper may burn or weaken; cookware needs heat-resistant material.

Answer

No. Paper-like materials can burn or weaken when heated. Cooking utensils should be made from heat-resistant materials such as suitable metal or clay.

Question Prompt 4

Why are balls for different sports made from different materials?

Steps only

Each sport needs a ball with suitable size, grip, hardness, and bounce.

Answer

Different sports need balls with different size, grip, hardness, and bounce. Materials are chosen to give each ball the properties needed for that sport.

Question Prompt 5

How can the objects in a classroom picture be grouped in different ways?

Steps only

Group by one feature: material, colour, shape, hardness, or use.

Answer

For example, group by material (wood, metal, plastic), by colour, by shape, or by use. The grouping changes with the property chosen.

Question Prompt 6

Are all lustrous (shiny) materials metals?

Steps only

No. Coating or polishing can make non-metals look shiny.

Answer

No. Many metals are shiny, but a non-metal can also look shiny because of polishing or a coating.

Question Prompt 7

Why did the children choose different hiding places, and what kind of material is each one?

Steps only

Wall/tree: opaque; frosted glass: translucent; clear glass: transparent.

Answer

The wall and tree are opaque, frosted glass is translucent, and clear window glass is transparent. These materials let through different amounts of light.

Question Prompt 8

Classify a glass tumbler, butter paper, eraser, frosted glass, wooden board, and window glass as transparent, translucent, or opaque.

Steps only

Transparent: glass tumbler, window glass. Translucent: butter paper, frosted glass. Opaque: eraser, wooden board.

Answer

Transparent: glass tumbler, window glass. Translucent: butter paper, frosted glass. Opaque: eraser, wooden board.

Question Prompt 9

What happens when sugar, salt, chalk powder, sand, or sawdust is stirred into water?

Steps only

Sugar and salt dissolve; chalk, sand, and sawdust do not.

Answer

Sugar and salt dissolve. Chalk powder, sand, and sawdust are insoluble; they remain in the water mixture rather than disappearing.

Question Prompt 10

What do mass and volume tell us about an object?

Steps only

Mass: amount of matter. Volume: space occupied.

Answer

Mass measures the amount of matter; volume measures the space it occupies.

Question Prompt 11

Is air matter? Are materials and matter the same?

Steps only

Yes. Air has mass and occupies space. Materials are matter used to make objects.

Answer

Yes, air is matter because it has mass and occupies space. Materials are kinds of matter used to make objects.

Question Prompt 12

Has plastic been a boon or a bane for people?

Steps only

Both: useful and durable, but waste causes pollution. Reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Answer

Plastic has benefits and harms. It is light and useful, but plastic waste can persist and pollute. We should avoid unnecessary single-use plastic, reuse items, and recycle correctly.

Question Prompt 13

Why can we see through air but not a wooden door?

Steps only

Air is transparent; wood is opaque.

Answer

Air is transparent; a wooden door is opaque.

Question Prompt 14

Two same-sized tumblers contain different amounts of water. Why are their water levels different?

Steps only

They contain different volumes; more water gives a higher level.

Answer

They contain different volumes of water. The tumbler with more water has a higher water level.

Question Prompt 15

Which two properties are shared by all matter?

Steps only

Mass and volume.

Answer

All matter has mass and occupies space (has volume).

Question Activity 1

Give a sample list of classroom objects and the materials they are made from.

Steps only

Examples: notebook—paper; desk—wood/metal; window—glass.

Answer

Sample: notebook—paper; desk—wood/metal; window—glass and wood/metal frame; bottle—plastic or metal. Actual objects vary.

Question Activity 2

Name materials that could be used for different parts of a tumbler.

Steps only

Glass, stainless steel, or food-safe plastic can hold water.

Answer

Possible tumbler body materials: glass, stainless steel, or food-safe plastic. The best choice depends on its use.

Question Activity 3

How can you compare whether materials are hard or soft?

Steps only

Compare resistance to pressing or scratching; do scratch tests safely.

Answer

Compare how easily materials compress or scratch. For safety, do scratch tests only with adult guidance; hardness is relative.

Question Activity 4

Do oil, vinegar, and honey mix with water? What gas in water is important for aquatic life?

Steps only

Vinegar/honey mix; oil separates. Dissolved oxygen supports aquatic life.

Answer

Vinegar and honey mix with water; oil does not and forms a separate layer. Dissolved oxygen is important for aquatic plants and animals.

Question Activity 5

How can you compare half-cups of water, sand, and pebbles?

Steps only

Weigh equal volumes in identical cups; compare balance readings.

Answer

Weigh equal volumes in identical cups on a balance. The cup with the larger reading contains more mass. The result depends on the amounts and packing.

Question Activity 6

Suggest different ways to group a set of classroom objects.

Steps only

Group by material, hardness, transparency, appearance, or use.

Answer

Example groups: metal, wood, plastic, paper; or hard/soft; transparent/opaque; or by use. State the property used.

Let us enhance our learning

Visit your kitchen and observe how edibles are organised. Suggest a better way to sort them.

Answer

Unscramble and match: T R E M A T; U L S B E L O; T N E R P A S N A R T; E R U S T L. Match with (a) objects seen clearly through it (b) occupies space and has mass (c) shiny surface (d) mixes completely in water.

Answer

Why are containers used to store materials in shops and at home often transparent?

Answer

Mark each statement True or False, and correct the false ones: (i) Wood is translucent and glass opaque. (ii) Aluminium foil has lustre but an eraser does not. (iii) Sugar dissolves in water but sawdust does not. (iv) An apple is matter because it occupies no space and has mass.

Answer

Choose suitable chair materials for: (i) hardness and long use (ii) light weight (iii) not feeling very cold in winter (iv) easy cleaning and looking new.

Answer

Choose materials for containers for (i) food waste (ii) broken glass (iii) wastepaper. What properties should you consider?

Answer

Air does not stop us seeing, but a wooden door does. Choose the correct pair: air is ___ and wood is ___. (i) transparent, opaque (ii) translucent, transparent (iii) opaque, translucent (iv) transparent, translucent.

Answer

Material X feels rigid and does not change shape easily when pressed. Material Y changes shape easily. X dissolves in water, but Y does not. Suggest what X and Y could be and classify them as hard or soft.

Answer

Identify materials from the clues: (a) I have lustre. (b) I can be easily compressed. (c) I am hard and soluble in water. (d) You cannot see clearly through me. (e) I have mass and volume but you cannot see me.

Answer

Write your own “Who am I?” clue using a material property, then give its answer.

Answer

Using vinegar, honey, mustard oil, water, glucose, and wheat flour, give two pairs where one material dissolves in the other and two pairs where it remains insoluble.

Answer

Chapter Questions and Activities

What does classification mean, and why do we group objects?

Answer

What properties should a material for a tumbler have? Name suitable materials.

Answer

Would paper-like material be a good choice for cooking utensils?

Answer

Why are balls for different sports made from different materials?

Answer

How can the objects in a classroom picture be grouped in different ways?

Answer

Are all lustrous (shiny) materials metals?

Answer

Why did the children choose different hiding places, and what kind of material is each one?

Answer

Classify a glass tumbler, butter paper, eraser, frosted glass, wooden board, and window glass as transparent, translucent, or opaque.

Answer

What happens when sugar, salt, chalk powder, sand, or sawdust is stirred into water?

Answer

What do mass and volume tell us about an object?

Answer

Is air matter? Are materials and matter the same?

Answer

Has plastic been a boon or a bane for people?

Answer

Why can we see through air but not a wooden door?

Answer

Two same-sized tumblers contain different amounts of water. Why are their water levels different?

Answer

Which two properties are shared by all matter?

Answer

Give a sample list of classroom objects and the materials they are made from.

Answer

Name materials that could be used for different parts of a tumbler.

Answer

How can you compare whether materials are hard or soft?

Answer

Do oil, vinegar, and honey mix with water? What gas in water is important for aquatic life?

Answer

How can you compare half-cups of water, sand, and pebbles?

Answer

Suggest different ways to group a set of classroom objects.

Answer

Air does not stop us seeing, but a wooden door does. Choose the correct pair: air is _ and wood is _. (i) transparent, opaque (ii) translucent, transparent (iii) opaque, translucent (iv) transparent, translucent.