Welcome to Week 9 of Year 7 Chemistry! This week, we’ll explore the fascinating world of materials. You’ll learn about the properties that make materials suitable for different uses, test materials for strength and flexibility, and discover the amazing story of Stephanie Kwolek, who invented Kevlar.
Hour 1: Properties of Materials
Learning Objectives
By the end of this hour, you will:
Understand key properties of materials such as strength, flexibility, and durability.
Learn how to test materials for these properties.
Read and Watch
Read: page 17 in "What's Chemistry all About?".
Read: Chapter 2 of "Amazing Stuff!".
Watch: Properties of Materials from NGS.
Task: Materials Comparison Table
Create a table with three columns labelled "Material," "Properties," and "Uses."
List at least five materials (e.g., metal, plastic, rubber, wood, glass) and describe their key properties and common uses.
Hour 2: Testing Material Properties
Learning Objectives
By the end of this hour, you will:
Conduct experiments to test the strength and flexibility of different materials.
Analyse how material properties affect their usability.
Practical Activity: Testing Materials
What You Need:
Rubber bands
Paperclips
Plastic rulers
Wooden sticks (e.g., craft sticks)
A weight (e.g., a small bag of rice or coins)
Steps:
Strength Test: Gradually add weight to each material (e.g., paperclip, wooden stick) and record when it bends or breaks.
Flexibility Test: Stretch or bend each material (e.g., rubber band, ruler) and observe how easily it returns to its original shape.
Reflection Questions:
Which material was the strongest? Which was the most flexible?
How do these properties make the materials useful for specific purposes?
Hour 3: Stephanie Kwolek and the Invention of Kevlar
Learning Objectives
By the end of this hour, you will:
Learn about Stephanie Kwolek’s contributions to material science.
Understand how Kevlar’s properties make it a life-saving material.
Read and Watch
Read: Stephanie Kwolek and bulletproof material. Read the whole book it is only short!
Watch: How do Bullet Proof Vests Work? (Ted-Ed)
Task: The Science of Kevlar
Write a short paragraph describing the unique properties of Kevlar (e.g., lightweight, strong, resistant to heat).
Research and list three real-life applications of Kevlar (e.g., bulletproof vests, helmets, ropes).
Quick Activity: Kevlar in Action
Create a poster or digital presentation showcasing Stephanie Kwolek’s achievements and the impact of Kevlar on society.
Summary and Reflection
Reflect on the Week:
What did you learn about the properties that make materials suitable for different uses?
How did testing materials help you understand their strengths and weaknesses?
How has Stephanie Kwolek’s invention of Kevlar changed the world?
Looking Ahead: Next week, we’ll dive into environmental chemistry to explore the impact of human activity on air and water. Get ready for experiments on water filtration and more!
Excellent work finishing week 9!
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