Sorting Materials into Groups - Science and Tech NCERT Notes for UPSC

Objects around us are made of one or more materials. These materials may be glass, metal, plastics, wood, cotton, paper, mud, or soil, etc. We will discuss the properties of materials in this blog which will help you to enhance your UPSC CSE preparation. 

Properties of Materials

Properties of materials help us to decide which material should be used for making any given object. Some common properties are:

1. Appearance
   • Having lustre or shiny appearance - Gold, Silver etc.
   • Having no lustre or dull appearance - Paper, Chalk etc.
2. Hardness
   • Hard to compress, scratch - Iron, Stone etc.
   • Easy to compress, scratch - Sponge, Wool etc.
3. Soluble/Insoluble in water
   • Soluble in Water - Sugar, Salt etc.
   • Insoluble in Water - Petrol, Saw Dust etc.
4. Float/Sink in Water
   • Lighter than water (Less Density) thus floats - Dry Leaves, Oil etc.
   • Heavier than water (High Density) thus sinks - Stone, Iron etc.
5. Transparency

Also Read : What are lab grown diamonds?

Thus, grouping of materials based on the similarities or differences in their properties can help us to study their characteristics in a more convenient manner.

If you are targeting UPSC CSE 2023, download the PrepLadder app and transform your UPSC CSE preparation from the Beginner level to the Advanced level. You can also join our Telegram channel to stay updated with the latest information about the exam.