Materials: Properties and changes
Examining the properties of materials by investigating hardness, transparency and conductivity and considering how these characteristics affect their uses.
New statutory RSHE guidance is here. We’re creating our brand new RSE & PSHE scheme ready for September 2026. Learn more
- Subjects >
- Science >
- Key stage 2 >
- Year 5 >
-
Materials: Properties and changes
Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Determine the hardness of different materials and link this to their uses.
- Determine the transparency of different materials and link this to their uses.
- Determine the thermal and electrical conductivity of different materials and link this to their uses.
- Demonstrate, identify and describe reversible and irreversible changes.
When working scientifically pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Evaluate the hardness test to determine the degree of trust in the results.
- Plan and draw a table of results.
- Write a detailed, organised and easy to follow method.
- Write a prediction using prior knowledge of the states of matter.
- Analyse observations about rusting and use them to support a conclusion.
- Measure accurately in centimetres.
Suggested prior learning
Materials: Mixtures and separation
Get startedLessons
Lesson 1: Hardness
Lesson 2: Transparency
Lesson 3: Conductivity
Lesson 4: Reversible changes
Lesson 5: Irreversible changes: Burning and rusting
Lesson 6: Irreversible changes: Mixing
Key skills
Related content
Resources
Unit resources
Science
Knowledge organiser – Science Y5: Materials: Properties and changes
Aimed at pupils, two pages providing key facts and definitions from the unit ‘Properties and changes'.
Science
Vocabulary display – Science Y5: Materials: Properties and changes
A display version of the vocabulary for the unit ‘Properties and changes’.
Cross-curricular opportunities
British values: mutual respect.