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CBSE Notes
Class 6
Science
Chapter 6 Materials Around Us

Frequently Asked Questions

Materials are substances used to make objects around us.

Sand, Chalk are insoluble in water.

The property of substance due to which it dissolves in water is called solubility. Soluble substances - Sugar and salt.

Air has mass and occupies space, therefore, air is considered as a matter.

Choosing the right material ensures proper use, safety, and durability.

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CBSE Notes Class 6 Science Chapter 6 Materials Around Us

Everything around us is made of materials. These materials can be different in many ways. Some are hard, some are soft, some dissolve in water, while others do not. This chapter helps students understand the different types of materials and their properties.

Chapter 6 Materials Around Us CBSE Notes

Students learn how materials are grouped based on their properties like hardness, solubility, and transparency. Through observation and simple activities, students are encouraged to explore materials around them and understand their uses. The PDF helps students revise how materials are grouped based on properties such as hardness, solubility, and transparency. It also makes it easier to recall examples and uses of different materials during revision. For more topics, students can refer to the Class 6 Science Notes for chapter-wise explanations and quick revision.

1.0Materials Around Us Class 6 Science Chapter 6 - Revision Notes

Objects around us are crafted from various materials chosen specifically for their physical properties and intended functions. Grouping these materials based on properties such as appearance, hardness, transparency, solubility, and mass makes scientific study simple and systematic.

Key Concepts:

  • Everything around us is composed of diverse materials, including wood, glass, metal, plastic, paper, and fabric.
  • Classification is the process of grouping objects or materials based on shared similarities and differences to simplify their study.
  • Matter is defined as anything that possesses mass and occupies space, existing in solid, liquid, or gas states.
  • Specific materials are chosen to make objects based on their physical properties and the purpose the object serves.
  • Mass measures the quantity of matter in an object, whereas volume represents the physical space that matter occupies.

Selection of Materials for Making Objects

Different materials can be used for making  the same object. For example, tumblers can be made of glass, plastic, metal or clay because these materials can hold liquids. The choice of material depends on its properties and the purpose of the object

Classification Based on Appearance and Hardness

Materials that shine are known as lustrous, such as gold, copper and iron. Materials without shine, such as wood, are non-lustrous. The material's ability to resist scratching is known as Hardness. For example, stone is harder than wood.

Classification Based on Transparency

Based on how light passes through them, materials can be classified into three types

  • Transparent: Allow light to pass through clearly, such as clear glass and clean water.
  • Translucent: Allow some light to pass through, such as butter paper and frosted glass.
  • Opaque: Do not allow light to pass through, such as wood, metal and cardboard.

Opaque, translucent, and transparent materials with examples of wood, frosted glass, and clear glass.

Solubility of Solids, Liquids and Gases in Water

Solubility describes whether a substance dissolves in a liquid. A solute dissolves in a solvent to form a solution. Sugar and salt dissolve in water, while sand and chalk powder do not. Vinegar mixes with water, but oil forms a separate layer. Some gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, also dissolve in water and support aquatic life.

Matter and Its States

Anything that has mass and occupies space is Matter. Mass is measured in grams or kilograms, while volume is measured in millilitres or litres.

  • Solids have a fixed shape and volume.
  • Liquids have a fixed volume but take the shape of their container.
  • Gases have neither a fixed shape nor a fixed volume.

Ancient Indian Ayurveda classified substances using opposite properties, such as heavy and light or hot and cold. Pottery-making also has a long history in India, including at ancient sites such as Mehrgarh.

infographs of physical properties of matters


NCERT Solutions Class 6 Science Chapter 6 - Materials Around Us

2.0Terminologies to know - Materials Around Us

  • Material: Any natural or man-made substance used to create various objects.
  • Classification: The systematic grouping of objects or materials based on common characteristics.
  • Lustre: The shiny or bright appearance of a freshly cut or polished material.
  • Transparency: The property of a material that allows light to travel through it clearly.
  • Translucent: A property describing materials that permit light to pass through only partially.
  • Opaque: A property describing materials that block light completely.
  • Solute: A substance that dissolves within a solvent to create a solution.
  • Solvent: A liquid medium that dissolves another substance.
  • Matter: Any physical substance that has mass and takes up space.

3.0Learning Guide for Class 6 Science Materials Around Us- Chapter 6

Textbook Experiments and Activities:

  • Activity on Object and Material Listing:

 Identify household items like chairs, utensils, and containers, and record the materials forming them. Purpose and Observation: Shows that one material like metal can form multiple objects, and one object like a bottle can be formed from different materials.

  • Activity on Bouncing Balls of Different Materials: 

Drop a tennis ball, cricket ball, plastic ball, and rubber ball from a uniform height. Purpose and Observation: The tennis ball bounces highest, proving that objects of identical size made from different materials display distinct physical behaviors.

  • Activity on Scratch Testing for Hardness:

 Scratch wood against stone or iron against copper. Purpose and Observation: The harder material creates a scratch mark on the softer material, demonstrating relative physical hardness.

  • Activity on Light Transmission Testing: 

Look through a clear glass window, a plain white paper sheet, and an oiled paper sheet. Purpose and Observation: Glass is transparent, plain paper is opaque, and oiled paper is translucent, demonstrating different levels of light passage.

  • Activity on Solid and Liquid Solubility:

 Add sugar, salt, sand, chalk powder, vinegar, and cooking oil to separate test tubes of water and shake thoroughly. Purpose and Observation: Sugar, salt, and vinegar dissolve forming clear mixtures, while sand, chalk, and oil do not dissolve, with oil forming a separate layer on top.

  • Activity on Mass Measurement using Paper Cups: 

Fill three identical paper cups halfway with water, sand, and pebbles, then weigh them on a balance. Purpose and Observation: The pebble cup weighs the most, followed by sand, and water weighs the least, proving that equal volumes of different materials have different masses.

Everyday Examples:

  • Storekeepers display food items in clear glass jars so customers can see them easily while keeping them clean.
  • Preparing Oral Rehydration Solution at home by mixing six teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt into one litre of boiled and cooled water to treat dehydration.

Revision Tips:

  • Remember that Solute + Solvent = Solution.
  • Remember the three light rules: clear view means transparent, hazy view means translucent, and blocked view means opaque.

Safety Rules:

  • Never taste or inhale unknown chemicals or liquid samples during solubility experiments.
  • Handle glass tumblers and test tubes carefully to avoid breakage and injury.

4.0Explore Chapter-wise Class 6 Science Notes

The Wonderful World of Science Class 6 Chapter 1 Notes

Diversity in the Living World Class 6 Chapter 2 Notes

Mindful Eating Class 6 Chapter 3 Notes

Exploring Magnets Class 6 Chapter 4 Notes

Measurement of Length Class 6 Chapter 5 Notes

Materials Around Us Class 6 Chapter 6 Notes

Temperature and Its Measurement: Class 6 Chapter 7 Notes

A Journey Through States of Water Class 6 Chapter 8 Notes

Methods of Separation in Everyday Life Class 6 Chapter 9 Notes

Living Creatures – Exploring Their Characteristics Class 6 Chapter 10 Notes

Nature’s Treasures Class 6 Chapter 11 Notes

Beyond Earth Class 6 Chapter 12 Notes

5.0Additional Study Materials for Class 6 Science

CBSE Syllabus for Class 6 Science 

CBSE Sample Question Papers for Science Class 6

NCERT Solutions Class 6 Science

NCERT Textbooks for Class 6 Science

6.0Find the Right Study Resources for Class 6

CBSE Syllabus for Class 6

NCERT Textbooks for Class 6   

CBSE Notes for Class 6

NCERT Solutions Class 6

CBSE Sample Question Papers for Class 6

7.0Key Features of CBSE Class 6 Science Notes Chapter 6 : Materials Around Us

  • Foundation of Matter: This chapter serves as the introduction to Chemistry, teaching students to look beyond the object and identify the substance it is made of, building a base for molecular science.
  • Inquiry-Based Learning Approach: Instead of memorizing lists, students are encouraged to ask: "Why is a cooking pot made of metal but its handle made of plastic?" or "Why can't we make a tumbler out of cloth?"
  • Logical Property Analysis: A step-by-step guide to testing materials for specific traits like hardness, solubility, and buoyancy, moving from random observation to systematic scientific testing.
  • Visual Learning Aids: Includes high-quality comparison charts and diagrams showing the behavior of different materials in water (Floating vs. Sinking) and their reaction to light (Transparency).
  • Active Revision Framework: Features "Property Quick-Checks" and mind maps that categorize materials into groups like Metals vs. Non-metals or Natural vs. Synthetic.
  • Competency-Based Assessment: Includes "Material Designer" challenges where students must choose the best material for a specific task based on its physical and chemical properties.

Chapter-wise CBSE Notes for Class 6 Science:

Class 6 Science Chapter 1 - The Wonderful World of Science Notes

Class 6 Science Chapter 2 - Diversity in the Living World Notes

Class 6 Science Chapter 3 - Mindful Eating – A Path to a Healthy Body Notes

Class 6 Science Chapter 4 - Exploring Magnets Notes

Class 6 Science Chapter 5 - Measurement of Length and Motion Notes

Class 6 Science Chapter 6 - Materials Around Us Notes

Class 6 Science Chapter 7 - Temperature and Its Measurement Notes

Class 6 Science Chapter 8 - A Journey Through States of Water Notes

Class 6 Science Chapter 9 - Methods of Separation in Everyday Life Notes

Class 6 Science Chapter 10 - Living Creatures – Exploring Their Characteristics Notes

Class 6 Science Chapter 11 - Nature's Treasures Notes

Class 6 Science Chapter 12 - Beyond Earth Notes


Chapter-wise NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science:

Chapter 1 - The Wonderful World of Science

Chapter 2 - Diversity in the living world

Chapter 3 - Mindful Eating- A Path to a Healthy Body

Chapter 4 - Exploring Magnets

Chapter 5 - Measurement of Length and Motion

Chapter 6 - Materials Around Us

Chapter 7 - Temperature and Its Measurement

Chapter 8 - A Journey Through States of Water

Chapter 9 - Methods of Separation in Everyday Life

Chapter 10 - Living Creatures-Exploring their Characteristics

Chapter 11 - Nature's Treasures

Chapter 12 - Beyond Earth