You have landed on the right page to learn about Objects Around Us. In our daily lives, we use a variety of objects. Materials are the building blocks of all objects. It is important to use the appropriate material for each object. Toys, spectacles, medals, inkpot caps, and pen nibs are all made from the same substance. Let’s understand everything about various objects and how to classify the objects based on their properties.

Objects around us come in a variety of shapes and sizes, therefore identifying them is crucial. Doors, fans, a ball, a book, a pen, a pencil, and a table are just a handful of the objects that surround us. All of these have some characteristics that set them apart from one another. Continue reading to know more.

Objects Around Us: Overview

We see a number of objects around us. Here is a picture with some objects. Let’s name the objects in the picture given below. The objects in the picture are pencils, scissors, paper, a pen stand, pens, chart paper, brush. Are all the objects made up of the same material? Obviously, no. These objects are made of different materials with different properties. 

In order to classify objects based on the materials, we must know the properties of different kinds of materials. Size, shape, colour, texture (hard or soft, smooth or rough), hardness, appearance, smell, transparency, etc., are few properties of substances.

What is Material?

A substance that is used in making the different objects is called material. All objects are built using one or more types of materials.  Some examples of materials are cotton, silk, coal, iron, plastic, glass, etc.
Materials generally are of two types- natural and man-made or synthetic. The materials which are obtained from nature are known as natural materials.
Example: Wood, minerals, rubber, etc.
The material which does not occur in nature but is made by humans in laboratories by combining two or more materials is called synthetic material or man-made material.
Example: Plastic, synthetic fibre like nylon, polyester, etc.

Study Classification Of Elements Here

List of Things Around Us

We see a large number of objects around us. It may be living, non-living, objects made of wood, metals, glass, plastics, etc. Here are a few examples of it.

Living objects	Non-living objects	Objects made of wood	Objects made of metal	Objects made of glass	Objects made of plastic
Humans	Table	Chair	Nail	Beaker	Mug
Birds	Book	Door	Utensils	Test tube	Polythene bag
Animals	Plastic	Table	Magnets	Mirror	Toy
Insects	metal	Pencil	Machines	Aquarium	Bottles
Plants	Rubber	Paper	Coins	Funnel	Water tanks

What is the Importance of Classification?

Classification has the following advantages:
1. It helps in the systematic study of objects.
2. It helps in identifying and locating things.
3. It helps to study the properties of objects of one category and also observe any pattern in these properties.
4. It helps us to know how the members of a group differ from those of other groups.
5. It decides which material to choose for the desired purpose. For example, we cannot make tools out of rubber as it is not hard. We cannot make cooking utensils out of paper as it will catch fire.

Classification of Objects

Grouping similar things together is called classification. By classifying things, the things with some common properties can be grouped together and can also keep dissimilar things apart. Objects are classified according to the similarities in the properties, so there are numerous ways of classification. Some of them are appearance, texture, hardness, floatation, solubility, transparency, metallic and magnetic properties, etc. Let us study these important properties of the substance.

Appearance: Lustrous or Non-lustrous

The property of a material to shine when light falls on it is called lustre. Objects that shine when light falls on them are called lustrous objects.
Example: Objects made of metals, like iron, copper, gold, silver, aluminium, etc.
Objects that do not shine are called non-lustrous objects.
Example: Wood, paper, plastic, leather, etc.

Texture: Rough or Smooth

Objects with uneven surfaces are called rough.
Example: Sandpaper, the bark of tree, rock, the surface of some fruits like pineapple, jackfruit, etc.,
Objects with even surfaces are called smooth.
Example: Silk, plain glass, egg, the surface of some fruits like apples, grapes, etc.

Hardness: Hard or Soft

Objects which can be compressed easily are called soft.
Example: Cotton, sponge, jelly, etc.,
Objects which cannot be compressed easily are called hard.
Example: Wood, iron, rock, etc.

Solubility: Soluble or Insoluble

A solid that dissolves in water is called a soluble solid.
Example: Sugar and salt in water.
A solid that does not dissolve in water is called an insoluble solid.
Example: Sand in water.
Similarly, two liquids that mix with each other are called miscible liquids.
Example:  Water and vinegar mixture.
Two liquids that do not mix with each other and remain separate are called immiscible liquids.
Example: Water and oil mixture.
Some gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide dissolve in water, whereas others like nitrogen and hydrogen do not.

Flotation: Float or Sink

You must have noticed that many substances float, whereas many others sink in water. For example, ice and wood float in the water whereas metals, stones, glass etc. sink in the water.

Transparency:Transparent, Translucent, or Opaque

Objects which allow most of the light to pass through them are called transparent objects. We can see clearly through them.
Example: A windowpane, glass, air, water, etc.
Objects through which light cannot pass are called opaque objects. We cannot see through them.
Example: Books, stone, wood, metals, etc.
Objects through which light can pass partially are called translucent objects. We can see only partially through them.
Example: Tracing paper, smoke, frosted glass, etc.

Conduction of Heat: Good or Bad Conductors

Materials that allow heat to pass through them easily are called good conductors of heat.
Example: Metals like iron, copper, aluminium, silver, etc.
Materials that do not allow heat to pass through them are called bad conductors of heat.
Example: Wood, plastic, air, etc.
That is why metals are used to make cooking vessels, and their handles are made of either wood or plastic.

Conduction of Electricity: Conductors or Insulators

Objects that allow an electric current to pass through them easily are called conductors.
Example: Metals like iron, copper, aluminium, silver, etc.
Objects that do not allow an electric current to pass through them are called insulators.
Example: Rubber, plastic, air, wood, etc.

Magnetic Property: Magnetic or Non-Magnetic

Materials that are attracted to a magnet are called magnetic materials.
Example: Iron, nickel, and cobalt
Materials that are not attracted to a magnet are called non-magnetic materials.
Example: Wood, plastic, paper, rubber, etc.

Summary

In this article, objects around us you have explored the meaning of objects and material with suitable examples, meaning, and advantages of classification of objects. You are also able to explain the classification of objects based on the properties such as appearance, texture, transparency, floatation, solubility, conduction of heat and electricity, magnetic property with the definition and examples of each object.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1. How do you see different objects around?
Ans: When an object comes in the path of light, it reflects by striking the object. This reflected light comes to our eyes, which makes us see different objects around us.

Q.2. What are objects in science?
Ans: A thing that can be seen and touched is called an object.
Example: Animals, plants, chairs, books, plastics, etc.

Q.3. What are the kinds of objects?
Ans: Objects may be living or nonliving. Objects are of different kinds like objects made of wood, metals, glass, plastics, etc.

Q.4. How are the various objects made?
Ans: The various objects are made of a combination of different materials.
Example: Car contains different materials like metal, glass, rubber (tyres).

Q.5. What is the difference between material and object?
Ans: A thing that can be seen and touched is called an object. In contrast, a substance that is used in making the different objects is called material. All objects are made of one or more kinds of materials. 
Example: Cotton saree is an object made of cotton material.

Q.6. What is the basis for identifying an object?
Ans: The basis for identifying the object is the property of the material from which it is made up of.

Study Classification Of Matter Here

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