Class 6 Science Chapter 6 – Materials Around Us | NCERT Curiosity Notes
Class 6 Science Chapter 6 – Materials Around Us
NCERT Curiosity | Class 6 Science | Chapter 6 | 2026–27
Everything around us is made of materials. Different materials have different properties, and these properties help us choose the right material for a particular use.
1. Objects and Materials
An object is something that we use or see. The material is the substance from which an object is made.
Chair → Object
Wood, plastic or metal → Material
The same object can be made from different materials. Similarly, one material can be used to make many different objects.
2. Why Do We Group Materials?
There are many materials around us. We group them according to their similarities and differences.
- It makes materials easier to study.
- It helps us compare materials.
- It helps us choose the right material for a particular use.
3. Important Properties of Materials
Appearance • Hardness • Transparency • Solubility • Floating and Sinking
A. Appearance – Lustre
Some materials have a shiny or bright surface. Such materials are called lustrous.
Examples: Gold, silver and many metals.
Materials with a dull surface are called non-lustrous.
B. Hardness
Materials can be hard or soft.
Examples: Stone, iron
Soft materials: Can be pressed or scratched more easily.
Examples: Cotton, sponge
C. Transparency
Transparency tells us how much light can pass through a material.
Transparent
Objects can be seen clearly through the material.
Example: Clear glass
Translucent
Some light passes through, but objects cannot be seen clearly.
Example: Butter paper, frosted glass
Opaque
Light does not pass through the material.
Example: Wood, cardboard
Translucent → See partly
Opaque → Cannot see through
D. Solubility in Water
A substance that dissolves in water is called soluble.
Examples: Salt, sugar
A substance that does not dissolve in water is called insoluble.
Examples: Sand, chalk powder
Insoluble → Does not dissolve in water
E. Floating and Sinking
Different objects behave differently when placed in water. Some float, while others sink.
Wood → Usually floats
Cork → Floats
Stone → Usually sinks
Iron object → Usually sinks
The behaviour of an object can also depend on its shape and structure.
4. Mass and Volume
Mass tells us about the amount of matter in an object.
Common units: gram (g), kilogram (kg)Volume tells us about the space occupied by an object or substance.
Common units: millilitre (mL), litre (L)Volume → Space occupied
5. What is Matter?
Anything that has mass and occupies space is called matter.
Examples of matter include water, wood, stone, plastic and air.
We cannot see air, but air is matter because it has mass and occupies space.
6. Choosing the Right Material
We choose a material according to its properties and its use.
Glass → Windows
because glass is transparent.
Cotton → Clothes
because cotton is soft and comfortable.
Metal → Tools
because many metals are hard and strong.
Plastic → Containers
because plastic is light and water-resistant.
7. Plastic – Useful but Needs Care
Plastic has many useful properties. It is often:
- Light
- Strong
- Durable
- Easy to shape
- Water-resistant
However, careless use and disposal of plastic can cause environmental pollution.
Reduce unnecessary use, reuse items whenever possible and dispose of plastic responsibly.
8. Chapter at a Glance
| Property | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lustre | Shiny appearance | Metal |
| Hardness | Resists scratching or pressing | Stone |
| Transparent | Objects can be seen clearly | Clear glass |
| Translucent | Objects can be seen partly | Butter paper |
| Opaque | Cannot see through | Wood |
| Soluble | Dissolves in water | Salt |
| Insoluble | Does not dissolve | Sand |
| Mass | Amount of matter | g, kg |
| Volume | Space occupied | mL, L |
Materials have different properties.
These properties help us group materials and choose the right material for a particular purpose.
Source: NCERT Class 6 Science – Curiosity, Chapter 6: Materials Around Us.
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