
Materials Around Us Class 6 explains that different objects are made from different materials and that these materials have different properties. The chapter helps students understand how materials can be grouped based on properties such as appearance, hardness, transparency, solubility, and whether they float or sink in water.
These Class 6 Science Materials Around Us notes provide important concepts, examples and differences for quick chapter revision.
A Class 6 science materials around us notes PDF is useful because it keeps the main definitions, examples, and chapter points together in one place. It is especially helpful before a class test, while doing homework, or during final revision when students want short study material instead of going through the full chapter again.
Everything around us is made of some material. An object may be made from wood, metal, glass, plastic, paper, cotton, rubber or another material.
Different materials have different properties. These properties help us identify materials and understand why a particular material is suitable for making a particular object.
For example:
A glass window is useful because glass allows light to pass through it.
A metal spoon is useful because metals are generally hard and strong.
Cotton is used for clothes because it is soft and comfortable.
Plastic is used for many objects because it can be shaped into different forms.
Materials are therefore selected according to their properties and the purpose for which an object is used.
Materials can be compared and grouped by observing their properties. Important properties covered in Class 6 include appearance, hardness, solubility, transparency, and floating or sinking in water.
Materials may have different appearances. Some may look shiny, while others may appear dull.
For example, many metals have a shiny appearance, while wood and paper generally have a different appearance.
Materials can be hard or soft.
Hard materials: Iron, steel and stone
Soft materials: Cotton, sponge and some types of rubber
Hardness is one property that helps us compare different materials.
Transparency describes how much light can pass through a material.
Materials can be grouped as:
|
Type |
Meaning |
Examples |
|
Transparent |
Allows most light to pass through |
Clear glass, clean water |
|
Translucent |
Allows some light to pass through |
Butter paper, frosted glass |
|
Opaque |
Does not allow light to pass through |
Wood, cardboard |
Some substances dissolve in water, while others do not.
Soluble: Salt and sugar dissolve in water.
Insoluble: Sand and many pieces of wood do not dissolve in water.
Solubility helps us group materials according to how they behave when mixed with water.
Different materials behave differently when placed in water.
Some objects float, while others sink.
For example, a piece of wood may float in water, while an iron object generally sinks. The behaviour depends on the material and the object.
Grouping materials according to their properties makes it easier to study and identify them.
A simple classification is:
|
Property |
Possible Groups |
|
Appearance |
Shiny / dull |
|
Hardness |
Hard / soft |
|
Transparency |
Transparent / translucent / opaque |
|
Solubility |
Soluble / insoluble |
|
Behaviour in water |
Floats / sinks |
A single material can have several properties. For example, a material can be hard, opaque, and insoluble in water. CuriousJr helps students understand and identify these different properties of materials.
The material used to make an object depends on its properties and its purpose.
For example:
Glass is used for windows because transparent glass allows light to pass through.
Metal is used for many utensils because it is generally hard and durable.
Cotton is used for clothes because it is soft and comfortable.
Wood is used for furniture because it is hard and can be shaped.
Plastic is used for many household objects because it is lightweight and can be moulded.
Therefore, understanding the properties of materials helps us understand why particular materials are used for particular objects.
The notes can be used along with textbook study for quick revision before class tests and examinations.
Remember these points while revising the chapter:
Objects around us are made from different materials.
Different materials have different properties.
Materials can be grouped according to their common properties.
Some materials are hard, while others are soft.
Some materials are transparent, some are translucent and others are opaque.
Some substances dissolve in water, while others do not.
Some objects float in water, while others sink.
The properties of a material help determine its uses.
The same material can be used to make different objects.
Different materials can sometimes be used to make similar objects.
|
Object |
Material |
Property/Reason for Use |
|
Window |
Glass |
Transparent |
|
Chair |
Wood |
Hard and suitable for furniture |
|
Spoon |
Metal |
Hard and durable |
|
Shirt |
Cotton |
Soft and suitable for clothing |
|
Notebook |
Paper |
Lightweight and easy to write on |
|
Bottle |
Plastic or glass |
Can hold liquids |
|
Rubber band |
Rubber |
Flexible |
Read More: CBSE Class 6 Temperature and its Measurement Notes
A material is the substance from which an object is made.
Materials are grouped based on similar properties. This makes them easier to study and compare.
Transparent materials allow most light to pass through them. Clear glass is an example.
Opaque materials do not allow light to pass through them. Wood and cardboard are examples.
Soluble substances dissolve in a particular liquid, such as salt dissolving in water.
|
Property |
Example |
|
Hard |
Iron |
|
Soft |
Cotton |
|
Transparent |
Clear glass |
|
Translucent |
Butter paper |
|
Opaque |
Wood |
|
Soluble in water |
Salt |
|
Insoluble in water |
Sand |
|
Floats in water |
Wood |
|
Sinks in water |
Iron |
Students can use Class 6 Notes to revise the chapter in a simple sequence:
Understand materials: Identify the materials used to make everyday objects.
Learn properties: Revise hardness, appearance, transparency and solubility.
Compare materials: Group materials according to their properties.
Practise examples: Identify why a particular material is used for an object.
Revise the table: Use the examples to quickly recall the important properties.

