Basics

Revise the second unit of Chemistry in G.C.E (A/L).

Materials

Materials can be divided into 4 sub-classifications.

• Metals
• Ceramics
• Polymers
• Composites

Materials can also be categorized based on their usage or their functionalities.

Note

Previously wood was considered as a separate classification, along with the above-mentioned ones.

Property

The response given by a material to a specific stimulus.

• Mechanical properties – stress
• Electrical properties – electric field
• Magnetic properties – magnetic field
• Optical properties – electromagnetic or light radiation

Definitions

Anisotropic

Different properties in different directions.

Isotropic

Same properties in all different directions.