ABSTRACT
This chapter compares and groups together everyday materials on the basis of their properties, including their hardness, solubility, transparency, conductivity (electrical and thermal) and response to magnets. It describes how to recover a substance from a solution, and discusses separation of mixtures through filtering, sieving and evaporating. The chapter provides reasons based on evidence from comparative and fair tests, for the particular uses of everyday materials, including metals, wood and plastic. It demonstrates that dissolving, mixing and changes of state are reversible changes. The chapter describes scientific procedures and clear instructions that outline the simple equipment required for carrying out each procedure. It provides National Curriculum assessment indicators and illustrates how to carry out the primary science experiments and what results to expect. Suggestions for adapting each procedure or activity to the special needs and interests of the students are discussed.
