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Science Quiz - Properties of Materials (Questions)

Let's explore the amazing world of materials in this KS2 Science quiz! It's all about adding special words to your vocabulary to understand the different properties of things, like 'opaque', 'translucent', 'flexible', or 'brittle'.

Properties are like the superpowers of materials. Every material has unique characteristics, and we use them for different jobs. Cork floats but isn't strong enough to build a ship, and glossy paint reflects light but not well enough to be used as a mirror. Knowing words for properties helps us pick the right material for different jobs!

Does your vocabulary include material words? Test your knowledge with this fun KS2 Science quiz on Properties of Materials!

Quizzes: Your Ticket to Fun Learning. Dive In
1. What does 'property' mean when discussing materials?
[ ] A material's possessions, such as money and land
[ ] The qualities of a particular material
[ ] The copyright on a particular material
[ ] The objects which are made from a specific material
2. If light cannot pass through a material, which property does that material have?
[ ] It is opaque
[ ] It is translucent
[ ] It is transparent
[ ] It is magnetic
3. What do we call a material which is not at all bendy?
[ ] An insulator
[ ] Rigid
[ ] Magnetic
[ ] Flexible
4. Plasticine can be easily moulded or squashed into different shapes. What do we call this property?
[ ] Transparency
[ ] Conductivity
[ ] Density
[ ] Malleability
5. Which of these materials shows great elasticity?
[ ] Sand
[ ] Oak
[ ] Rubber
[ ] Concrete
6. What is the opposite of elasticity?
[ ] Stretchiness
[ ] Brittleness
[ ] Flexibility
[ ] Hardness
7. What is the opposite of waterproof?
[ ] Absorbent
[ ] Flexible
[ ] Smooth
[ ] Opaque
8. A real 50p coin is heavier than a toy plastic 50p coin. Materials that are heavier than objects of the same size are more what?
[ ] More solid
[ ] More magnetic
[ ] More light
[ ] More dense
9. Which properties of china make it a good material for a teacup?
[ ] It is brittle and permeable and a good electrical insulator
[ ] It is shiny and transluscent and a good thermal conductor
[ ] It is strong and waterproof and a good thermal insulator
[ ] It is dense and opaque and a good electrical conductor
10. Why is copper used for electrical wiring?
[ ] Because it is light
[ ] Because it is flexible
[ ] Because it is a good electrical conductor
[ ] All of the above

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Properties and change of materials

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Science Quiz - Properties of Materials (Answers)
1. What does 'property' mean when discussing materials?
[ ] A material's possessions, such as money and land
[x] The qualities of a particular material
[ ] The copyright on a particular material
[ ] The objects which are made from a specific material
A material's properties might include hardness, flexibility, strength, shininess, softness, etc.
2. If light cannot pass through a material, which property does that material have?
[x] It is opaque
[ ] It is translucent
[ ] It is transparent
[ ] It is magnetic
Translucent materials may be coloured but you can still see dim shapes through them, like stained glass. Transparent materials are completely see-through, like plain glass
3. What do we call a material which is not at all bendy?
[ ] An insulator
[x] Rigid
[ ] Magnetic
[ ] Flexible
The same material can be flexible or rigid - a copper kettle would be rigid, while copper wiring is very flexible
4. Plasticine can be easily moulded or squashed into different shapes. What do we call this property?
[ ] Transparency
[ ] Conductivity
[ ] Density
[x] Malleability
If a material is malleable, its shape can be changed easily
5. Which of these materials shows great elasticity?
[ ] Sand
[ ] Oak
[x] Rubber
[ ] Concrete
Elasticity is a measure of how well a material returns to its original shape and size after being stretched or compressed
6. What is the opposite of elasticity?
[ ] Stretchiness
[x] Brittleness
[ ] Flexibility
[ ] Hardness
Something that is very hard and will break rather than bend is described as 'brittle'
7. What is the opposite of waterproof?
[x] Absorbent
[ ] Flexible
[ ] Smooth
[ ] Opaque
Absorbent materials will soak up liquids whilst waterproof materials will not
8. A real 50p coin is heavier than a toy plastic 50p coin. Materials that are heavier than objects of the same size are more what?
[ ] More solid
[ ] More magnetic
[ ] More light
[x] More dense
The mass of an object compared to its size is described as its density
9. Which properties of china make it a good material for a teacup?
[ ] It is brittle and permeable and a good electrical insulator
[ ] It is shiny and transluscent and a good thermal conductor
[x] It is strong and waterproof and a good thermal insulator
[ ] It is dense and opaque and a good electrical conductor
If china were a good thermal conductor, you would seriously burn your hands by holding a hot cup of tea
10. Why is copper used for electrical wiring?
[ ] Because it is light
[ ] Because it is flexible
[ ] Because it is a good electrical conductor
[x] All of the above
There are lots of reasons we use copper in our electric wires rather than other materials