NCERT Textbook: Materials Around Us | Science Class 6 PDF Download

 Page 1


Materials Around Us
6 Chapter
6.1 Observing Objects Around Us 
Ghulan and Sheeta are thrilled to go to their new class 
after the summer break. They enter their classroom and 
start talking. “What have you brought to school today?” 
asks Sheeta.
After some time, Madam Vidya, their science teacher, 
enters the class and starts interacting with the students to 
draw their attention to many things they use in their daily 
life. She asks, “How are they similar to or different from 
each other? What are their shapes and colours? How does it 
feel when you touch them? Are some of them heavier than 
	 ??????
? 	?? ? ????? ? (?
? ????:)	? ? ?? ???	 ??	???? ? ? 	? 	 ?
	 (???? ???
? ? ?? –??.?)
The materials used to make the crucible  
(a vessel used to melt substances) are clay and iron.
 (Rasaratnasamuchchaya–10.3)
Look, I 
have a new 
notebook.
I also have a 
new notebook 
and a pen.
Chapter 6.indd   101 09-07-2024   10:39:51
Page 2


Materials Around Us
6 Chapter
6.1 Observing Objects Around Us 
Ghulan and Sheeta are thrilled to go to their new class 
after the summer break. They enter their classroom and 
start talking. “What have you brought to school today?” 
asks Sheeta.
After some time, Madam Vidya, their science teacher, 
enters the class and starts interacting with the students to 
draw their attention to many things they use in their daily 
life. She asks, “How are they similar to or different from 
each other? What are their shapes and colours? How does it 
feel when you touch them? Are some of them heavier than 
	 ??????
? 	?? ? ????? ? (?
? ????:)	? ? ?? ???	 ??	???? ? ? 	? 	 ?
	 (???? ???
? ? ?? –??.?)
The materials used to make the crucible  
(a vessel used to melt substances) are clay and iron.
 (Rasaratnasamuchchaya–10.3)
Look, I 
have a new 
notebook.
I also have a 
new notebook 
and a pen.
Chapter 6.indd   101 09-07-2024   10:39:51
102
Table 6.1: Identify materials
I observe
Materials they are  
made up of
Let us explore materials further.
6.2 How to Group Materials? 
Activity 6.2: Let us group
 ? Group the objects shown in Fig. 6.1 based on any common 
property, such as shape, colour , hardness, softness, shine, 
dullness or materials they are made up of.
The earliest pottery found in the Indian subcontinent dates 
back to 7,000 to 8,000 years in the Ganga plains (Lahuradewa) 
and in Baluchistan (Mehrgarh). About 4000 BCE onwards, 
Sindhu-Sarasvati developed techniques of wheel-
turned pottery production, pigmentation, application 
of protective or decorative coats (called ‘slips’) of 
multiple colours, decorative painting, etc. These 
techniques became further sophisticated during the 
Sindhu-Sarasvati (also known as ‘Harappan’) Civilisation 
(2600–1900 BCE), with a bright red surface 
painted with black-coloured designs displaying 
geometric patterns, and aquatic and terrestrial 
animals. The clay used for making pots, dishes, 
bowls and other items was carefully selected 
and cleaned, sieved, kneaded, turned over a 
wheel and finally baked in kilns (baked clay 
is called ‘terracotta’). Pots were used for various 
purposes, from cooking to storage of food grains, 
oil, ghee, and so on. Some very large storage 
jars and other pottery items are exhibited at the 
National Museum, New Delhi.
others?” All things are made up of some materials like paper , 
wood, cloth, glass, metal, plastic, clay, and so on.
Any substance that is used to create an object is referred to 
as material. 
Activity 6.1: Let us identify
Make a list of objects you see around and also write the 
names of the materials they are made up of in Table 6.1.
Based on everyday observations, one can conclude that 
objects are made up of various materials. 
 Do you 
know?
Curiosity | Textbook of Science | Grade 6
Chapter 6.indd   102 09-07-2024   12:15:19
Page 3


Materials Around Us
6 Chapter
6.1 Observing Objects Around Us 
Ghulan and Sheeta are thrilled to go to their new class 
after the summer break. They enter their classroom and 
start talking. “What have you brought to school today?” 
asks Sheeta.
After some time, Madam Vidya, their science teacher, 
enters the class and starts interacting with the students to 
draw their attention to many things they use in their daily 
life. She asks, “How are they similar to or different from 
each other? What are their shapes and colours? How does it 
feel when you touch them? Are some of them heavier than 
	 ??????
? 	?? ? ????? ? (?
? ????:)	? ? ?? ???	 ??	???? ? ? 	? 	 ?
	 (???? ???
? ? ?? –??.?)
The materials used to make the crucible  
(a vessel used to melt substances) are clay and iron.
 (Rasaratnasamuchchaya–10.3)
Look, I 
have a new 
notebook.
I also have a 
new notebook 
and a pen.
Chapter 6.indd   101 09-07-2024   10:39:51
102
Table 6.1: Identify materials
I observe
Materials they are  
made up of
Let us explore materials further.
6.2 How to Group Materials? 
Activity 6.2: Let us group
 ? Group the objects shown in Fig. 6.1 based on any common 
property, such as shape, colour , hardness, softness, shine, 
dullness or materials they are made up of.
The earliest pottery found in the Indian subcontinent dates 
back to 7,000 to 8,000 years in the Ganga plains (Lahuradewa) 
and in Baluchistan (Mehrgarh). About 4000 BCE onwards, 
Sindhu-Sarasvati developed techniques of wheel-
turned pottery production, pigmentation, application 
of protective or decorative coats (called ‘slips’) of 
multiple colours, decorative painting, etc. These 
techniques became further sophisticated during the 
Sindhu-Sarasvati (also known as ‘Harappan’) Civilisation 
(2600–1900 BCE), with a bright red surface 
painted with black-coloured designs displaying 
geometric patterns, and aquatic and terrestrial 
animals. The clay used for making pots, dishes, 
bowls and other items was carefully selected 
and cleaned, sieved, kneaded, turned over a 
wheel and finally baked in kilns (baked clay 
is called ‘terracotta’). Pots were used for various 
purposes, from cooking to storage of food grains, 
oil, ghee, and so on. Some very large storage 
jars and other pottery items are exhibited at the 
National Museum, New Delhi.
others?” All things are made up of some materials like paper , 
wood, cloth, glass, metal, plastic, clay, and so on.
Any substance that is used to create an object is referred to 
as material. 
Activity 6.1: Let us identify
Make a list of objects you see around and also write the 
names of the materials they are made up of in Table 6.1.
Based on everyday observations, one can conclude that 
objects are made up of various materials. 
 Do you 
know?
Curiosity | Textbook of Science | Grade 6
Chapter 6.indd   102 09-07-2024   12:15:19
103
Fig. 6.1: Objects around us
Let us explore materials further.
6.2 How to Group Materials? 
Activity 6.2: Let us group
 ? Group the objects shown in Fig. 6.1 based on any common 
property, such as shape, colour , hardness, softness, shine, 
dullness or materials they are made up of.
 ? Which property did you use to group the objects in 
Activity 6.2? 
 ? Did your friends group objects based on similar 
properties? 
 ? What did you learn from this activity? 
You must have noticed that an object can be made from 
different materials and some materials can be used to make 
more than one object.
The method of arranging the objects into groups is called 
classification . Objects can be classified on the basis of a 
common property that they have. 
Similarly, we can classify materials based on certain 
properties.
others?” All things are made up of some materials like paper , 
wood, cloth, glass, metal, plastic, clay, and so on.
Any substance that is used to create an object is referred to 
as material. 
Activity 6.1: Let us identify
Make a list of objects you see around and also write the 
names of the materials they are made up of in Table 6.1.
Materials Around Us
Chapter 6.indd   103 08-07-2024   19:06:51
Page 4


Materials Around Us
6 Chapter
6.1 Observing Objects Around Us 
Ghulan and Sheeta are thrilled to go to their new class 
after the summer break. They enter their classroom and 
start talking. “What have you brought to school today?” 
asks Sheeta.
After some time, Madam Vidya, their science teacher, 
enters the class and starts interacting with the students to 
draw their attention to many things they use in their daily 
life. She asks, “How are they similar to or different from 
each other? What are their shapes and colours? How does it 
feel when you touch them? Are some of them heavier than 
	 ??????
? 	?? ? ????? ? (?
? ????:)	? ? ?? ???	 ??	???? ? ? 	? 	 ?
	 (???? ???
? ? ?? –??.?)
The materials used to make the crucible  
(a vessel used to melt substances) are clay and iron.
 (Rasaratnasamuchchaya–10.3)
Look, I 
have a new 
notebook.
I also have a 
new notebook 
and a pen.
Chapter 6.indd   101 09-07-2024   10:39:51
102
Table 6.1: Identify materials
I observe
Materials they are  
made up of
Let us explore materials further.
6.2 How to Group Materials? 
Activity 6.2: Let us group
 ? Group the objects shown in Fig. 6.1 based on any common 
property, such as shape, colour , hardness, softness, shine, 
dullness or materials they are made up of.
The earliest pottery found in the Indian subcontinent dates 
back to 7,000 to 8,000 years in the Ganga plains (Lahuradewa) 
and in Baluchistan (Mehrgarh). About 4000 BCE onwards, 
Sindhu-Sarasvati developed techniques of wheel-
turned pottery production, pigmentation, application 
of protective or decorative coats (called ‘slips’) of 
multiple colours, decorative painting, etc. These 
techniques became further sophisticated during the 
Sindhu-Sarasvati (also known as ‘Harappan’) Civilisation 
(2600–1900 BCE), with a bright red surface 
painted with black-coloured designs displaying 
geometric patterns, and aquatic and terrestrial 
animals. The clay used for making pots, dishes, 
bowls and other items was carefully selected 
and cleaned, sieved, kneaded, turned over a 
wheel and finally baked in kilns (baked clay 
is called ‘terracotta’). Pots were used for various 
purposes, from cooking to storage of food grains, 
oil, ghee, and so on. Some very large storage 
jars and other pottery items are exhibited at the 
National Museum, New Delhi.
others?” All things are made up of some materials like paper , 
wood, cloth, glass, metal, plastic, clay, and so on.
Any substance that is used to create an object is referred to 
as material. 
Activity 6.1: Let us identify
Make a list of objects you see around and also write the 
names of the materials they are made up of in Table 6.1.
Based on everyday observations, one can conclude that 
objects are made up of various materials. 
 Do you 
know?
Curiosity | Textbook of Science | Grade 6
Chapter 6.indd   102 09-07-2024   12:15:19
103
Fig. 6.1: Objects around us
Let us explore materials further.
6.2 How to Group Materials? 
Activity 6.2: Let us group
 ? Group the objects shown in Fig. 6.1 based on any common 
property, such as shape, colour , hardness, softness, shine, 
dullness or materials they are made up of.
 ? Which property did you use to group the objects in 
Activity 6.2? 
 ? Did your friends group objects based on similar 
properties? 
 ? What did you learn from this activity? 
You must have noticed that an object can be made from 
different materials and some materials can be used to make 
more than one object.
The method of arranging the objects into groups is called 
classification . Objects can be classified on the basis of a 
common property that they have. 
Similarly, we can classify materials based on certain 
properties.
others?” All things are made up of some materials like paper , 
wood, cloth, glass, metal, plastic, clay, and so on.
Any substance that is used to create an object is referred to 
as material. 
Activity 6.1: Let us identify
Make a list of objects you see around and also write the 
names of the materials they are made up of in Table 6.1.
Materials Around Us
Chapter 6.indd   103 08-07-2024   19:06:51
104
Activity 6.3: Let us think 
Let us think what materials we can use to make a tumbler. 
Fill in the names of the materials in the spaces provided in 
Fig. 6.2.
Fig. 6.2: Materials used to make tumbler
Tumbler
The materials that are required to make a tumbler should 
be capable of holding water .
What decides which material should be used for making 
an object? We choose a material to make an object depending 
on its properties and the purpose for which the object is to 
be used. 
We may use different materials for making different 
parts of an object. For example, a pen may be made up of 
different materials like plastic, metal and ink.
Would it be a 
good idea to 
use paper-like 
materials for 
making cooking 
utensils? 
?
Why cannot a 
tumbler made of 
cloth be used for 
storing water?
Curiosity | Textbook of Science | Grade 6
Chapter 6.indd   104 08-07-2024   19:07:00
Page 5


Materials Around Us
6 Chapter
6.1 Observing Objects Around Us 
Ghulan and Sheeta are thrilled to go to their new class 
after the summer break. They enter their classroom and 
start talking. “What have you brought to school today?” 
asks Sheeta.
After some time, Madam Vidya, their science teacher, 
enters the class and starts interacting with the students to 
draw their attention to many things they use in their daily 
life. She asks, “How are they similar to or different from 
each other? What are their shapes and colours? How does it 
feel when you touch them? Are some of them heavier than 
	 ??????
? 	?? ? ????? ? (?
? ????:)	? ? ?? ???	 ??	???? ? ? 	? 	 ?
	 (???? ???
? ? ?? –??.?)
The materials used to make the crucible  
(a vessel used to melt substances) are clay and iron.
 (Rasaratnasamuchchaya–10.3)
Look, I 
have a new 
notebook.
I also have a 
new notebook 
and a pen.
Chapter 6.indd   101 09-07-2024   10:39:51
102
Table 6.1: Identify materials
I observe
Materials they are  
made up of
Let us explore materials further.
6.2 How to Group Materials? 
Activity 6.2: Let us group
 ? Group the objects shown in Fig. 6.1 based on any common 
property, such as shape, colour , hardness, softness, shine, 
dullness or materials they are made up of.
The earliest pottery found in the Indian subcontinent dates 
back to 7,000 to 8,000 years in the Ganga plains (Lahuradewa) 
and in Baluchistan (Mehrgarh). About 4000 BCE onwards, 
Sindhu-Sarasvati developed techniques of wheel-
turned pottery production, pigmentation, application 
of protective or decorative coats (called ‘slips’) of 
multiple colours, decorative painting, etc. These 
techniques became further sophisticated during the 
Sindhu-Sarasvati (also known as ‘Harappan’) Civilisation 
(2600–1900 BCE), with a bright red surface 
painted with black-coloured designs displaying 
geometric patterns, and aquatic and terrestrial 
animals. The clay used for making pots, dishes, 
bowls and other items was carefully selected 
and cleaned, sieved, kneaded, turned over a 
wheel and finally baked in kilns (baked clay 
is called ‘terracotta’). Pots were used for various 
purposes, from cooking to storage of food grains, 
oil, ghee, and so on. Some very large storage 
jars and other pottery items are exhibited at the 
National Museum, New Delhi.
others?” All things are made up of some materials like paper , 
wood, cloth, glass, metal, plastic, clay, and so on.
Any substance that is used to create an object is referred to 
as material. 
Activity 6.1: Let us identify
Make a list of objects you see around and also write the 
names of the materials they are made up of in Table 6.1.
Based on everyday observations, one can conclude that 
objects are made up of various materials. 
 Do you 
know?
Curiosity | Textbook of Science | Grade 6
Chapter 6.indd   102 09-07-2024   12:15:19
103
Fig. 6.1: Objects around us
Let us explore materials further.
6.2 How to Group Materials? 
Activity 6.2: Let us group
 ? Group the objects shown in Fig. 6.1 based on any common 
property, such as shape, colour , hardness, softness, shine, 
dullness or materials they are made up of.
 ? Which property did you use to group the objects in 
Activity 6.2? 
 ? Did your friends group objects based on similar 
properties? 
 ? What did you learn from this activity? 
You must have noticed that an object can be made from 
different materials and some materials can be used to make 
more than one object.
The method of arranging the objects into groups is called 
classification . Objects can be classified on the basis of a 
common property that they have. 
Similarly, we can classify materials based on certain 
properties.
others?” All things are made up of some materials like paper , 
wood, cloth, glass, metal, plastic, clay, and so on.
Any substance that is used to create an object is referred to 
as material. 
Activity 6.1: Let us identify
Make a list of objects you see around and also write the 
names of the materials they are made up of in Table 6.1.
Materials Around Us
Chapter 6.indd   103 08-07-2024   19:06:51
104
Activity 6.3: Let us think 
Let us think what materials we can use to make a tumbler. 
Fill in the names of the materials in the spaces provided in 
Fig. 6.2.
Fig. 6.2: Materials used to make tumbler
Tumbler
The materials that are required to make a tumbler should 
be capable of holding water .
What decides which material should be used for making 
an object? We choose a material to make an object depending 
on its properties and the purpose for which the object is to 
be used. 
We may use different materials for making different 
parts of an object. For example, a pen may be made up of 
different materials like plastic, metal and ink.
Would it be a 
good idea to 
use paper-like 
materials for 
making cooking 
utensils? 
?
Why cannot a 
tumbler made of 
cloth be used for 
storing water?
Curiosity | Textbook of Science | Grade 6
Chapter 6.indd   104 08-07-2024   19:07:00
105
Activity 6.3: Let us think 
Let us think what materials we can use to make a tumbler. 
Fill in the names of the materials in the spaces provided in 
Fig. 6.2.
Activity 6.4: Let us explore 
Fig. 6.3 illustrates a variety of balls that are of the same size  
but made up of different materials. 
 ? Take each ball and drop it from a fixed height. 
 ? Note the height to which the ball bounces and record it 
in Table 6.2. 
 ? Identify the ball that achieves the highest bounce.
Fig. 6.3: Different types of balls used for various purposes 
Tennis ball Cricket ball Hand exercise ball
Can a cricket ball 
be used to play 
tennis?
Table 6.2: Bouncing level of the balls
Ball Bounces (high, medium or low)
Tennis ball
Cricket ball
Hand exercise ball
Any other
Why are different 
materials used for 
making balls for 
various sports? 
Materials Around Us
Chapter 6.indd   105 08-07-2024   19:07:21