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Inside Collection (Course): Natural Sciences Grade 5
It has been recently discovered that plastic can stand very great heat – up to 2 700 degrees Celsius. This equals the heat created by a nuclear explosion.
The properties of this type of plastic were tested in the following way:
An uncooked egg was coated with a layer of this plastic.
The egg was held in a welding flame.
The egg remained uncooked.
Directly after the flame was removed the egg could be held in the hand.
Have you seen seaweed being picked up on the beach and taken away in trucks? Have you wondered where it is going?
Let’s take a look:
The seaweed is taken to a factory where a very light, solid material is extracted from it. This material is so light that even a light breeze can blow it away. Because it is made from seaweed it is not harmful. One could even eat it.
Very soon this material will be used for:
insulation in fridges;
packaging of fragile items;
the covering for capsules.
New materials are continuously being created.
Sometimes these materials are created by chance and sometimes even from everyday materials.
Try the following:
500 mℓ skimmed milk
5 mℓ teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
vinegar
pot
glass bowl
old spoon
Method
1. Mix the milk and vinegar in the pot. Heat the mixture slowly until all lumps have disappeared.
2. Pour the milk into the glass bowl and allow to cool. Now you should have a large rubbery lump in the glass bowl. Pour off the liquid that covers the lump.
3. Mix the lump with 25 ml of water and a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda. Now you have glue. Test the glue by sticking two pieces of paper together.
4. Conclusion: Draw your own conclusion.
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The first bicycle was made of wood.
Today there are more than 800 million bicycles.
Metals such as steel, aluminium and titanium are used to make bicycles.
The first motorcars were just horse carts without horses, but with an engine.
A framework of wood and iron was used for the wheels.
In the 1950’s new, stronger steel was created which could be more easily shaped. It could be covered by a special material to make it rust resistant for at least ten years.
Today plastic is used in many cars for parts such as the bumpers.
The marvel of discovering new materials lies ahead in our future. Perhaps you will be inspired so as to discover a new material. Best of luck on your journey through science.
LEARNING OUTCOME 1:
SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONSThe learner will be able to act confidently on curiosity about natural phenomena and to investigate relationships and solve problems in scientific, technological and environmental contexts.
ASSESSMENT STANDARDS
We know this when the learner:
1.2.1 follows instructions for setting up apparatus and executing observations;
1.2.2 collects data from observation by means of sketches and labels;
1.2.3 perseveres until a result is obtained or continues to observe over an extended period of time;
1.3 evaluates data and communicates findings: provides feedback on progress in group context, as well as the eventual result:
1.3.1 presents data obtained from observation that are relevant to the target question.
LEARNING OUTCOME 3:
Science, SOCIETY and the environmentLearners are able to show understanding of the underlying connections of technology, the community and the environment.
ASSESSMENT STANDARDS
We know this when the learner:
3.1 understands science and technology in the context of history and indigenous knowledge:
3.1.1 describes traditional shelters and connects some features of such shelters with modern dwellings.
Activity 1
Conclusion: When some materials are combined a new material with new properties can result.
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Last edited by Siyavula Uploaders on Mar 13, 2009 1:00 pm -0500.