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Primary Science · Year 1Chapter 8 · Properties of materials
Year 1 · Properties of Materials · Lesson 8.6

Year 1 Science: Waterproof and absorbent: choosing for a job

Part of the Year 1 Science properties of materials chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page · Download worksheet (PDF) · Answers (PDF)

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8.6

Waterproof and absorbent: choosing for a job

Year 1
Say whether a material is waterproof or absorbent, Choose a material for a job, using the waterproof test
A garden. Some things keep water out, and some soak it up.

A waterproof material stops water going through it. When you drip water on it, the water sits on top in drops. A clear plastic bag and a rubber boot are waterproof.

An absorbent material soaks up water. The water soaks in, and the material gets wet. A paper towel and a towel are absorbent.

clearplastic bagsits on toppaper towelsoaks incotton clothsoaks in
The drip test. Water sits on the plastic bag, but soaks into the paper towel and the cloth.

Key ideas

  • Waterproof: water sits on top and does not soak in.
  • Absorbent: water soaks into it.
  • Cardboard and paper are not waterproof.
  • Test first, then choose the material that does the job best.
Worked example 8.6.1
A drop of water sits on top of a clear plastic bag. Is the bag waterproof? Write Yes or No.clearplastic bag

Key words. Waterproof means water does not soak through or into it.

Method. Test the clear plastic bag, then answer Yes or No.

  1. Test the clear plastic bag. Try it gently, or look at the picture.
    water sits on top
  2. Answer yes or no. Water sits on top and does not soak in, so it is waterproof.
    Yes
  3. Write the answer.
    Yes

Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓

Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.

Worked example 8.6.2
Water soaks into a paper towel. Is the paper towel absorbent? Write Yes or No.paper towel

Key words. Absorbent means it soaks up water.

Method. Test the paper towel, then answer Yes or No.

  1. Test the paper towel. Try it gently, or look at the picture.
    water soaks in
  2. Answer yes or no. Water soaks into it, so it is absorbent.
    Yes
  3. Write the answer.
    Yes

Check. Test it again in the same way, and your answer is the same. ✓

Watch out. Answer from the test, not from what you think it might be.

Worked example 8.6.3
Which one keeps a book dry in the rain: paper or a clear plastic bag?paperclearplastic bag

Key words. Waterproof means water does not soak through or into it.

Method. Test both things, then find the one that is waterproof.

  1. Look at both things. Test each one in the same way.
    paper   or   clear plastic bag
  2. Find the one that is waterproof. Water sits on top and does not soak in, so it is waterproof.
    clear plastic bag is waterproof
  3. Write the answer.
    clear plastic bag

Check. The other one is not waterproof, so only clear plastic bag is waterproof. ✓

Watch out. Test both things before you choose. Do not choose by the name or the colour.

Watch out

Watch out: a material can look strong and still soak up water. Cardboard looks strong, but it is not waterproof. It soaks in and goes soft.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Let your child choose a material for a job at home, such as drying a spill or keeping a snack dry. Ask: “Did you test it first? What did you see?”

Try it at home (with a grown-up)

On a tray or an old plate, put a small piece of plastic bag, a piece of paper towel and a piece of cardboard. Drip three drops of water on each one. Wait one minute. Which one lets the water soak in? Wipe up the water when you finish.

Exercise 8F  Waterproof, absorbent and choosing a material

1
FLook at the picture. Does the water sit on top of the clear plastic bag? Write Yes or No.
clearplastic bagsits on toppaper towelsoaks in
2
FLook at the picture. Does the water soak into the paper towel? Write Yes or No.
clearplastic bagsits on toppaper towelsoaks in
3
FIs a rubber boot waterproof? Write Yes or No.
rubber boot
4
FWrite Yes or No for each question.
clearplastic bagcotton clothcardboardboxrubber boot
(a)Is a clear plastic bag waterproof?
(b)Is a cotton cloth absorbent?
(c)Is a cardboard box waterproof?
(d)Is a rubber boot absorbent?
5
PSWhich one is absorbent: a rubber boot or a cotton cloth?
rubber bootcotton cloth
6
PSSort these into two groups, waterproof and not waterproof: clear plastic bag, towel, rubber boot, cardboard box. Write the groups.
clearplastic bagtowelrubber bootcardboardbox
7
PSWhich one keeps water out: a cardboard box or a rubber boot?
cardboardboxrubber boot
8
PSWhich is the best thing to mop up a spill: a rubber boot or a paper towel?
rubber bootpaper towel
9
RWorking scientifically. What do you think will happen when you put a drop of water on a plastic bag and on a paper towel? How could we find out?
clearplastic bagpaper towel
10
RSamir says cardboard is waterproof because it is strong. Is he right? Explain how you know.
cardboardbox

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