Have you ever wondered what your pencil, chair, clothes or water bottle are made of? Every object around us is made from a substance called a material. Some materials come directly from nature, while others are made by humans to meet different needs.

This article provides the insights into how materials around us can be classified into natural and man-made materials based on their origin. This concept will help students identify different materials and understand their importance in our daily lives.

What are Materials
Need for Classification of Materials
Classification of Materials
Frequently Asked Questions on Material Classification

Explore Orchids International Schools near you

What are Materials

Materials are the substances or matter used to make different objects around us. Everything we see and use, such as chairs, books, clothes, toys and utensils, is made from one or more materials. Materials can come directly from nature, like wood and cotton, or they can be made by humans, like plastic and glass.

In simple words, materials are the basic substances from which objects are made.

Need for Classification of Materials

Every object has its properties. They are made up of various kinds of materials. It is not easy to study all of them separately. Hence, they are classified into groups.
Classification means sorting or placing objects in different groups based on their texture, properties or the material used.
Classification has the following benefits

It helps us study similar objects together.
It helps us analyse the materials that can be replaced with other options available when required.
It allows us to study the similar properties of different materials together.
It helps us choose a suitable material according to its use.

Example:

A chair can be made using metal, wood and fabric, etc. But they do not have the same properties and cannot be used in the same conditions. Classification helps us understand this difference.

Classification of Materials:

The materials around us can be classified as natural or man-made based on their source—

Natural Materials: The materials which we get from nature.

Natural materials are the materials that we get directly from nature without making them in factories. They come from plants, animals and the Earth. These materials are useful because they help us make food, clothes, houses, medicines and many other things that we use every day.

Some natural materials can be used directly, while others need a little processing before they can be used. For example, cotton obtained from plants is processed into thread and then made into clothes. Similarly, wood is cut and shaped before it is used to make furniture.

Most natural materials are biodegradable, which means they can decompose naturally over time and do not remain in the environment for many years. This makes many natural materials safer for the environment than some man-made materials.

Examples of natural materials include:

Cotton
Wood
Wool
Silk
Leather
Coal
Minerals
Natural rubber

The properties of materials such as hardness, softness, strength and flexibility determine how natural materials are used. For example, wood is strong and hard, so it is used to make furniture, while cotton is soft and comfortable, so it is used to make clothes.

Man-made Materials: The materials which are synthesised artificially using raw material by humans.

The materials made by man using raw materials are called man-made or artificial materials.

Man-made materials are created by humans to fulfil different needs and to improve the usefulness of natural materials. These materials are usually made in factories using natural resources such as wood, metals, minerals and crude oil.

Many man-made materials are designed to be stronger, lighter, waterproof or more durable than natural materials. Because of these special properties, they are used in a wide variety of products.

Examples of man-made materials include:

Plastic
Paper
Glass
Steel
Nylon
Polyester
Cement
Synthetic rubber

Natural Materials:

These materials are available in nature and can be used for various purposes based on their properties.
Natural materials can be classified as follows based on their sources—

Materials from plants:

We get the following materials from plants

Fruits, cereals, pulses, fibres, wood, wood pulp, resins, etc.

The materials obtained from plants can be used for a variety of purposes, some of which are mentioned below

Wood is used for making furniture and as a raw material for constructing buildings and railway lines.
Wood pulp is used to make paper.
Fibres, like cotton and jute, are used to make clothes.
Medicinal plants are used to make medicines.
Resins like latex are used to make rubber.
Cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables are used as food.
Dry wood is used as fuel.

b.Materials from animals:

We get the following materials from animals

Egg, honey, meat, fibre, feathers, pearls, leather and animal waste.

The materials obtained from animals are used for various purposes, some of which are mentioned below

Meat, egg and honey are used as food.
Animal fibres, like wool, silk and fur, are used to make clothes.
Animal waste is used for the production of biogas. Also, dry cow dung cakes are used as fuel.
Feathers and oyster pearls are used for ornamental purposes.
Leather is used for making shoes, belts, bags etc.

Materials that originate from living organisms like plants and animals are also called biotic materials.

c.Materials from the Earth

The Earth is a source of various materials like rocks, minerals, salts, etc.
The materials that we get from Earth are called abiotic materials.
Materials obtained from Earth are used for the following reasons

Metals are extracted from minerals and turned into different objects. Example : Iron is used for making rods, copper is used for making wires, and gold is used for making ornaments.
Rocks obtained are used for doing house interiors, like marble, granite, etc. Also, some rocks like ruby, sapphire, etc., are gemstones used for making jewellery.
Salt that we use in our food is obtained by evaporating seawater.

Man Made Materials:

The materials made by man using raw materials are called man-made or artificial materials.
Humans make these materials using naturally occurring materials such as latex, wood, rocks, soil, metals, water, minerals, crude oil, etc.
Plastic, rubber, glass, purified metals, chemicals, polyester, paper, etc., are some man-made materials.

Some of their uses are given below

Plastic, rubber, etc., are now used as basic materials for making toys, toothbrushes, hairbands, water bottles etc.
Polyester and nylon threads are used for making tents, raincoats, sarees, shirts etc.
Glass made in factories is used for making windows, mirrors, utensils etc.
Paper is used for making books, notebooks, newspapers etc.

From Natural to Man-made:

All natural things we get cannot be used directly.
Some of them can be used after making small changes. Example : Making a pot using clay and water.
Some materials are suitable for use only after processing in factories and industries. Example : Polybags, plastic, glass, metal, etc.
Vast resources are used in making the materials we use. Hence, the resources should be used judiciously.

New Words:

Raw material: A material that has not been changed in any way.

Biotic: Something which has life or is related to life.

Misconception:

Man-made materials are better than natural materials—

Although some man-made materials are better than natural ones, they are sometimes harmful to nature as they are non-biodegradable. They also use large amounts of energy and resources for formation.

As we have learned that Materials are the building blocks of the objects we use every day. By learning what is material, students can understand the different types of materials and the properties that make them useful for specific purposes. Classifying materials into natural and man-made groups makes it easier to study their sources, characteristics and uses.

Science isn't just a subject, it's the way of seeing the world. Curious how Orchids The International School teaches it that way? Talk to our admissions team.

Frequently Asked Questions on Material Classification

1. What is the difference between natural and manmade materials?

Natural materials come directly from nature, such as wood and cotton, while man-made materials are created by humans using natural resources. Materials around us can be classified into these two main groups based on their source.

2. What are man-made materials used in everyday life?

Man-made materials are used to make bottles, toys, clothes, books and furniture because of their useful properties of materials like strength and durability. They make many everyday products more convenient to use.

3. Where does natural material come from?

Natural materials come from plants, animals and the Earth.

4. What are the types of natural materials used?

Natural materials include wood, cotton, wool, silk, leather and minerals that are used for clothing, furniture and construction. These are important types of materials that we use in our daily lives.

5. How do man-made materials impact the environment?

Some man-made materials, especially plastics, do not decompose easily and can cause pollution. Learning about the properties of materials helps us understand which materials are eco-friendly.

6. What are the most durable man-made materials?

Materials such as steel, glass and certain plastics are considered highly durable because they can last for many years. Their strength and toughness are important properties of materials.

7. What is the strongest manmade material?

Some advanced materials, such as carbon fibre and certain alloys, are among the strongest man-made materials. They show that different types of materials are designed for different purposes.

8. What natural material lasts the longest?

Stone and certain hardwoods are natural materials that can last for hundreds of years if properly maintained. Their long life depends on the properties of materials, such as hardness and strength.

9. What are the 4 most important materials?

Wood, metal, plastic and glass are among the most commonly used materials in everyday life. If you wonder how many types of material exist, there are many, but these four are widely used in making different objects.