Properties Help Distinguish Different Materials - 5th Grade Science
Card 1 of 20
Which property describes whether a material allows water to pass through it?
Which property describes whether a material allows water to pass through it?
Tap to reveal answer
Permeability. Water flows through cloth but not through plastic sheets.
Permeability. Water flows through cloth but not through plastic sheets.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the property tested when you compare how rough or smooth two materials feel.
Identify the property tested when you compare how rough or smooth two materials feel.
Tap to reveal answer
Texture. Sandpaper feels rough while glass feels smooth to touch.
Texture. Sandpaper feels rough while glass feels smooth to touch.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which property describes a material’s ability to soak up water into its surface or spaces?
Which property describes a material’s ability to soak up water into its surface or spaces?
Tap to reveal answer
Absorbency. Paper towels absorb water while plastic repels it.
Absorbency. Paper towels absorb water while plastic repels it.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which term means a characteristic you can observe or measure to identify a material?
Which term means a characteristic you can observe or measure to identify a material?
Tap to reveal answer
A physical property. Observable or measurable characteristics help identify materials.
A physical property. Observable or measurable characteristics help identify materials.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which property describes the ability of a material to bend without breaking?
Which property describes the ability of a material to bend without breaking?
Tap to reveal answer
Flexibility. Rubber bands bend easily while glass rods break when bent.
Flexibility. Rubber bands bend easily while glass rods break when bent.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which property describes how easily a material breaks or shatters when force is applied?
Which property describes how easily a material breaks or shatters when force is applied?
Tap to reveal answer
Brittleness. Glass and ceramics shatter easily while metals bend first.
Brittleness. Glass and ceramics shatter easily while metals bend first.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which property describes whether a material dissolves in water?
Which property describes whether a material dissolves in water?
Tap to reveal answer
Solubility. Sugar dissolves in water while sand does not.
Solubility. Sugar dissolves in water while sand does not.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which property best distinguishes wax from metal if both are solid: melting point or color?
Which property best distinguishes wax from metal if both are solid: melting point or color?
Tap to reveal answer
Melting point. Wax melts at low temperature while metal needs high heat.
Melting point. Wax melts at low temperature while metal needs high heat.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which property best distinguishes a sponge from a plastic block when both are the same size: absorbency or hardness?
Which property best distinguishes a sponge from a plastic block when both are the same size: absorbency or hardness?
Tap to reveal answer
Absorbency. Sponges soak up water while plastic blocks repel it.
Absorbency. Sponges soak up water while plastic blocks repel it.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which property describes whether a material can be pulled into a wire?
Which property describes whether a material can be pulled into a wire?
Tap to reveal answer
Ductility. Most metals can be stretched into wires.
Ductility. Most metals can be stretched into wires.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which property describes the temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid?
Which property describes the temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid?
Tap to reveal answer
Melting point. Each material has a specific melting temperature.
Melting point. Each material has a specific melting temperature.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the property being tested when a solid is placed in water to see if it dissolves.
Identify the property being tested when a solid is placed in water to see if it dissolves.
Tap to reveal answer
Solubility. Testing if the solid dissolves in water.
Solubility. Testing if the solid dissolves in water.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the property being tested when a nail is brought near a magnet to see if it is attracted.
Identify the property being tested when a nail is brought near a magnet to see if it is attracted.
Tap to reveal answer
Magnetism. Testing if the nail is attracted to the magnet.
Magnetism. Testing if the nail is attracted to the magnet.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the property being tested when two objects are compared to see which scratches the other.
Identify the property being tested when two objects are compared to see which scratches the other.
Tap to reveal answer
Hardness. The harder object scratches the softer one.
Hardness. The harder object scratches the softer one.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which material property best distinguishes copper wire from a rubber band in a circuit?
Which material property best distinguishes copper wire from a rubber band in a circuit?
Tap to reveal answer
Electrical conductivity. Copper conducts electricity; rubber doesn't.
Electrical conductivity. Copper conducts electricity; rubber doesn't.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which property best distinguishes a glass window from a wooden board when light shines through?
Which property best distinguishes a glass window from a wooden board when light shines through?
Tap to reveal answer
Transparency. Glass is transparent; wood is opaque.
Transparency. Glass is transparent; wood is opaque.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which property describes whether light can pass through a material clearly, partly, or not at all?
Which property describes whether light can pass through a material clearly, partly, or not at all?
Tap to reveal answer
Transparency (transparent, translucent, or opaque). Light passes through, partially, or not at all.
Transparency (transparent, translucent, or opaque). Light passes through, partially, or not at all.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which property describes a material’s resistance to being scratched?
Which property describes a material’s resistance to being scratched?
Tap to reveal answer
Hardness. Harder materials scratch softer ones.
Hardness. Harder materials scratch softer ones.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which property describes whether a material can be bent without breaking?
Which property describes whether a material can be bent without breaking?
Tap to reveal answer
Flexibility. Flexible materials bend; brittle ones break.
Flexibility. Flexible materials bend; brittle ones break.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which property describes how a material reflects light (for example, shiny or dull)?
Which property describes how a material reflects light (for example, shiny or dull)?
Tap to reveal answer
Luster. Metals are shiny; non-metals are usually dull.
Luster. Metals are shiny; non-metals are usually dull.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →