Answers to all "Let us enhance our learning" questions of Chapter 6, Materials Around Us (NCERT Class 6 Science, Curiosity, 2026-27): matter, grouping materials by properties such as hardness, lustre, solubility and transparency, and choosing materials for different uses. All 10 questions are answered, with the key answer highlighted.
Visit your kitchen and observe how your parents have organised various edibles. Can you suggest a better sorting method? Write it in your notebook.
Solution
Usually edibles are kept in containers on shelves, sometimes mixed. A better way to sort them is by their type and how often they are used:
Grains and flours (rice, wheat flour, millets) together in large airtight containers.
Pulses (dal, chana, rajma) together, in transparent jars so they can be identified easily.
Spices together in a spice box (masala dabba) near the stove, as they are used every day.
Oils, ghee and liquids together, away from the stove's heat.
Sugar, salt and jaggery in airtight jars to keep out moisture and ants.
Fruits and vegetables in a basket or refrigerator; snacks on a higher shelf.
Label the jars, keep things used daily within easy reach, and keep older stock in front so it is used first.
Group edibles by type (grains, pulses, spices, oils, sugar and salt, snacks, fruits and vegetables) in labelled, preferably transparent, airtight containers, with daily-use items within reach.
Unscramble the letters (Column I) and match with their properties (Column II): (i) TREMAT (ii) ULSBELO (iii) TNERPASNART (iv) ERUSTL — (a) Objects can be seen clearly through it (b) Occupies space and has mass (c) Shiny surface (d) Mixes completely in water
State True [T] or False [F]. Correct the false statements. (i) Wood is translucent while glass is opaque. (ii) Aluminium foil has lustre while an eraser does not. (iii) Sugar dissolves in water whereas sawdust does not. (iv) An apple is matter because it occupies no space and has mass.
Solution
(i) F. Wood is opaque while glass is transparent.
(ii) T
(iii) T
(iv) F. An apple is matter because it occupies space and has mass.
(i) F: wood is opaque, glass is transparent (ii) T (iii) T (iv) F: an apple occupies space and has mass.
Chairs are made of wood, iron, plastic, bamboo, cement and stones. Which materials used to make chairs fulfil these properties the most? (i) Hardness (does not bend or shake even after long use) (ii) Lightweight (iii) Does not feel very cold in winters (iv) Can be cleaned regularly and made to look new even after long use.
Solution
(i) Hardness: iron, stone, cement (and wood).
(ii) Lightweight: plastic and bamboo.
(iii) Does not feel very cold: wood, bamboo and plastic (iron, stone and cement feel cold).
(iv) Easy to clean and look new: plastic and iron (painted/steel), which can be wiped or washed easily.
Wood fulfils most of these properties together: it is hard, not too heavy, does not feel cold, and can be polished to look new.
(i) iron, stone, cement (ii) plastic, bamboo (iii) wood, bamboo, plastic (iv) plastic, iron; wood suits most needs overall.
You need containers for collection of (i) food waste, (ii) broken glass and (iii) wastepaper. Which materials will you choose for these containers? What properties of materials do you need to think of?
Solution
Waste
Material for the container
Properties needed
(i) Food waste
Plastic or metal bin with a lid (or a compost bin)
Does not leak or absorb water, easy to wash, does not rust or rot
(ii) Broken glass
Thick metal (tin) or hard plastic box
Hard and strong, so sharp pieces cannot cut through it
(iii) Wastepaper
Cardboard box, bamboo or cane basket, or a cloth/paper bag
Light, cheap, can itself be recycled
We must think of strength and hardness, whether it lets water through, whether it can be cleaned, and whether it is light, cheap and eco-friendly.
Food waste: plastic or metal bin with lid (waterproof, washable). Broken glass: strong metal or hard plastic box (hard, cannot be cut). Wastepaper: cardboard box or bamboo basket (light, recyclable).
Air is all around us but does not hinder us from seeing each other, whereas a wooden door does. It is because air is ___ and the wooden door is ___. (i) transparent, opaque (ii) translucent, transparent (iii) opaque, translucent (iv) transparent, translucent
Solution
(i) transparent, opaque. Light passes through air completely, so we see through it; light does not pass through wood at all, so we cannot see through the door.
Material X feels rigid when pressed and does not change its shape easily; material Y easily changes its shape when pressed. When mixed in water, only X dissolves completely, while Y remains unchanged. What can X and Y be? Is X hard or soft? What about Y? Justify your answer.
Solution
X is hard (it does not change shape when pressed) and soluble in water: it could be a lump of sugar, salt or a crystal of rock salt (or alum).
Y is soft (it changes shape easily when pressed) and insoluble in water: it could be cotton, a sponge, a rubber eraser or modelling clay.
X is hard and soluble: e.g. a sugar or salt crystal. Y is soft and insoluble: e.g. cotton, sponge or clay.
(i) Who am I? Identify me on the basis of the given properties. (a) I have lustre. (b) I can be easily compressed. (c) I am hard and soluble in water. (d) You cannot see clearly through me. (e) I have mass and volume but you cannot see me. (ii) Make your own 'Who am I?'
Solution
(i) (a) a metal such as copper, gold, silver or aluminium foil (b) cotton or a sponge (c) sugar or salt crystal (rock salt) (d) butter paper or frosted glass (translucent), or wood (opaque) (e) air
(ii) Example: "I am transparent, I am a liquid, I take the shape of my container, and I dissolve sugar and salt. Who am I?" (Water)
(a) a metal, e.g. aluminium foil (b) cotton or sponge (c) sugar or salt (d) butter paper or wood (e) air.
You are provided with vinegar, honey, mustard oil, water, glucose and wheat flour. Make any two pairs where one material is soluble in the other. Now, make two pairs where one material remains insoluble in the other.
Solution
Soluble pairs:
Glucose in water: dissolves completely.
Honey in water (or vinegar in water): mixes completely.
Insoluble pairs:
Mustard oil in water: forms a separate layer.
Wheat flour in water: does not dissolve; it settles down (or wheat flour in mustard oil).
Soluble: glucose in water, honey (or vinegar) in water. Insoluble: mustard oil in water, wheat flour in water.
