A strong material does not break easily (e.g. wood).

Strong materials are able to support heavy loads without breaking.

A weak material breaks easily (e.g. glass).

A flexible material can be easily bent without breaking.

A material that is not flexible is stiff.

Materials with a lower density than water will float on water (e.g. wood).

Materials with a higher density than water will sink in water (e.g. steel).

Absorbent materials absorb water well.

A waterproof material does not allow water to pass through. It also does not absorb water.

Transparent materials allow most light to pass through them.

Translucent materials allow some light to pass through them.

Materials that do not allow light to pass through are opaque.

Good conductors of heat (e.g. metals) allow heat to pass through easily.

Some materials such as fabrics, wood, rubber and plastic are poor conductors of heat.