Metals/Non-metals

Habari Mwanafunzi! Welcome to the World of Materials!

Ever wondered why a sufuria on a jiko gets hot, but its plastic handle stays cool enough to touch? Or why the school bell makes a loud, ringing sound while a wooden desk just makes a dull 'thud'? The answer lies in the two big families of materials that make up almost everything around us: Metals and Non-metals!

Today, we are going on an exciting safari to explore these materials. By the end of our lesson, you will be able to:

• Identify the main properties of metals and non-metals.
• Give examples of metals and non-metals found right here in Kenya.
• Explain the difference between them like a true expert!

Let's get started!

Meet the Shujaas: The Mighty Metals

Think of metals as the shujaas (heroes) of the material world. They are strong, shiny, and have some amazing superpowers! You see them everywhere, from the school gate to the coins in your pocket.

Image Suggestion: A vibrant, sunlit image of a Kenyan 'jua kali' artisan (fundi) skillfully hammering a glowing piece of red-hot metal on an anvil. Sparks are flying. In the background, there are finished metal products like window grills and metal boxes. The style should be realistic and action-oriented.

Here are their main properties (their superpowers!):

• They are Shiny (Lustrous): Freshly cut or polished metals have a beautiful shine. Think of a brand new aluminium sufuria or a silver necklace.
• Good Conductors of Heat & Electricity: This is a big one! Metals allow heat and electricity to pass through them easily. That's why your mum's cooking pot is metal (to cook the food) and why electrical wires are made of copper.
• They are Malleable: This means you can hammer them into thin sheets without breaking. The mabati on our roofs is a perfect example of iron being hammered into sheets!
• They are Ductile: This means they can be pulled and stretched into thin wires. The copper wires that bring electricity to our homes are a great example.
• They are Sonorous: When you hit a metal, it makes a ringing sound. Ding, dong! That's the sound of the school bell, which is made of metal.
• They are Strong and Dense: Metals are usually very strong and feel heavy for their size. A small piece of chuma (iron) is much heavier than a piece of wood of the same size.

Real-World Scenario: The Jiko Challenge

Imagine you are designing a new energy-saving jiko. You need a material for the body that gets hot quickly and spreads the heat evenly to the sufuria. You also need a material for the handles so you can move it safely. Which family of materials would you choose for the body? And for the handles? Of course! A metal for the body because it's a great conductor of heat, and a non-metal like wood or plastic for the handles because they are poor conductors (insulators).

The Versatile Family: Exploring Non-Metals

If metals are the shujaas, non-metals are the clever and versatile sidekicks. They are different from metals in almost every way, but they are just as important in our daily lives.

Look at a piece of makaa (charcoal). That's a non-metal called Carbon. Now, let's see its properties:

• They are Dull: Non-metals are not shiny (with a few exceptions like graphite in your pencil).
• Poor Conductors of Heat & Electricity: They are insulators! This is why plastic is used to cover electrical wires – to protect us from electric shock.
• They are Brittle: You can't hammer a non-metal into a sheet. If you hit a piece of charcoal with a hammer, it will shatter into pieces.
• They are Not Ductile or Malleable.
• They have Low Density: Most non-metals are light for their size. Think of a plastic basin – it's large but very light!

Here is a simple diagram to show how particles are arranged in a typical metal (solid) versus a non-metal (gas). In metals, the particles are packed tightly, allowing energy to pass through easily!

  METALS (Solid)                  NON-METALS (Gas, e.g., Oxygen)
  
  O O O O O O O                   O        O
  O O O O O O O                             O
  O O O O O O O                   O
  O O O O O O O                     O    O
                                  O
  [Tightly packed & orderly]      [Far apart & random]

Let's Get Mathematical: Understanding Density

We said metals are 'dense'. But what does that mean? Density is simply how much "stuff" (mass) is packed into a certain amount of space (volume). It's a key property that helps us identify materials.

The formula is simple:

Density = Mass / Volume

Let's do a quick calculation. Imagine we have a block of Aluminium (a metal) and a block of wood (a non-metal). Both blocks have the exact same volume of 10 cm³.

Step 1: Find the mass of each block.
We put them on a scale. - The mass of the Aluminium block is 27 grams. - The mass of the Wood block is only 7 grams.

Step 2: Calculate the density using our formula.

// For Aluminium (Metal)
Density = Mass / Volume
Density = 27 g / 10 cm³
Density = 2.7 g/cm³

// For Wood (Non-metal)
Density = Mass / Volume
Density = 7 g / 10 cm³
Density = 0.7 g/cm³

Conclusion: Look at that! The density of the metal (Aluminium) is much higher than the non-metal (wood). This is why a small piece of metal feels so heavy!

Image Suggestion: A clear, educational diagram showing two identical-sized cubes on a balancing scale. One cube is labeled 'Iron (Metal)' and is dark grey, weighing down its side of the scale. The other cube is labeled 'Wood (Non-metal)', is light brown, and is high up on the other side. Simple text annotations like 'Same Volume' and 'Different Mass' are visible. The style should be a clean, simple infographic.

Summary: The Great Showdown!

Let's put our two families head-to-head in a final comparison.

+----------------------------+--------------------------------+
|         PROPERTY           |       METALS vs NON-METALS     |
+----------------------------+--------------------------------+
| Appearance                 | Shiny          | Dull          |
| Heat/Electricity Conduction| Good (Conductor) | Poor (Insulator)|
| Malleability (Hammering)   | Malleable      | Brittle       |
| Ductility (Wires)          | Ductile        | Not Ductile   |
| Sound (when hit)           | Sonorous (Rings)| Not Sonorous  |
| Density                    | High           | Low           |
+----------------------------+--------------------------------+

Kazi ya Mwanafunzi (Your Turn!)

Fantastic work today! You are now a materials detective. For your assignment, I want you to go on a material hunt around your home or school.

1. Find and list 5 objects made of metal.
2. Find and list 5 objects made of a non-metal (like plastic, wood, or rubber).
3. Next to each object, write down one property you observed that helped you decide if it was a metal or non-metal. For example: "Metal Spoon - It is shiny and feels heavy."

Keep exploring the world around you with curious eyes. You'll be amazed at what you can discover about the materials that build our world. Well done!

Habari Mwanafunzi! Welcome to the World of Materials!

Ever looked around your home or school and wondered what everything is made of? The shiny sufuria your mum uses to cook ugali, the strong metal bars on the window, the plastic chair you are sitting on, or even the air you are breathing? Everything is a material! Today, we are going to be material detectives and explore the two biggest families of materials: Metals and Non-Metals. Let's get started!

Image Suggestion: A vibrant and colourful illustration of a Kenyan classroom or workshop. A student is looking around with curiosity. We can see various objects clearly: a shiny aluminium sufuria, a wooden desk, a plastic ruler, a metal jembe leaning against the wall, and a charcoal jiko in the background. Style: Cheerful, educational cartoon.

Meet the Metals: The Shiny and Strong Family

Metals are materials that are usually strong, shiny, and can be hammered into different shapes. Think about the things a jua kali artisan uses! Most of them are metals. They have special superpowers, which we call properties.

• Lustre: This is a fancy word for 'shiny'. Metals like steel, aluminium, and gold have a natural shine when they are polished. Think of a new panga or a piece of jewellery!
• Malleability: This means they can be hammered or pressed into thin sheets without breaking. This is how they make the mabati (iron sheets) for our roofs.
• Ductility: This means they can be pulled and stretched into thin wires. The copper inside electrical cables is a perfect example of this.
• Good Conductors: Metals are great at letting heat and electricity pass through them. That's why your sufuria is made of aluminium (to heat food quickly) and electrical wires are made of copper.
• Sonorous: This means they make a ringing sound when hit. Think of the sound a school bell makes. Ding-dong! That's a metal property.
• High Density: They are usually heavy for their size. A small piece of steel feels much heavier than a piece of wood of the same size.

Real-World Example: Imagine a blacksmith (fundi wa chuma) in a workshop. He takes a glowing red piece of steel from the fire. He hammers it again and again. It doesn't shatter; instead, it flattens and takes the shape of a strong jembe (hoe). This is possible because steel is a metal and has high malleability!

      o-o-o-o-o
     / / / / /
    o-o-o-o-o
   / / / / /
  o-o-o-o-o

**Atoms in a Metal:** Neatly packed in a regular, strong pattern.
This structure allows them to be shaped and conduct electricity easily.

Let's Do Some Math! Calculating Density

Density helps us understand how "packed" a material is. It's a key property for identifying materials. The formula is simple:

Density = Mass / Volume

Let's say we have a small block of aluminium with a mass of 54 grams and a volume of 20 cubic centimetres (cm³).

Step 1: Write down the formula.
   Density = Mass / Volume

Step 2: Put in the numbers we know.
   Density = 54 g / 20 cm³

Step 3: Do the calculation.
   Density = 2.7 g/cm³

So, the density of our aluminium block is 2.7 grams per cubic centimetre!

Meet the Non-Metals: The Colourful and Varied Family

Non-metals are the opposite of metals in many ways. They are a very diverse group! Some are gases we can't see, like Oxygen. Some are solids, like the charcoal (Carbon) we use in a jiko.

• Dull: They are not shiny. Think about a piece of wood or plastic; they don't reflect light like a metal.
• Brittle: If you try to hammer a solid non-metal, it will likely break or shatter. You can't make a sheet out of charcoal – it will just turn to dust!
• Poor Conductors (Insulators): They are very bad at letting heat and electricity pass through them. This is why the handle of a sufuria is often made of plastic or wood, to stop you from getting burned. They are insulators.
• Not Sonorous: They make a dull sound when hit. Hitting a plastic basin doesn't make a ringing sound.
• Low Density: They are usually light for their size.

Image Suggestion: A split-screen close-up shot. On the left, a shiny, smooth silver metal spoon reflecting light. On the right, a piece of rough, black charcoal that is dull and non-reflective. The contrast should be very clear. Text labels: "Metal: Lustrous (Shiny)" and "Non-Metal: Dull".

      o      o
             o
  o
         o
     o           o

**Atoms in a Gaseous Non-Metal:** Far apart and moving randomly.
This is why they are poor conductors and have low density.

Spot the Difference: A Quick Summary

Let's put our two families side-by-side to see the main differences.

• Appearance: Metals are Lustrous (shiny) while Non-metals are Dull.
• Strength: Metals are Malleable and Ductile while Non-metals are Brittle (if solid).
• Conductivity: Metals are Good Conductors while Non-metals are Poor Conductors (Insulators).
• Sound: Metals are Sonorous (ringing sound) while Non-metals are Not Sonorous.

You Be the Detective!

Imagine your teacher gives you a mystery object. How can you tell if it's a metal or a non-metal? Follow these steps!

[ Start with the Mystery Object ]
            |
            v
[ Does it look shiny? ] --No--> [ It's likely a NON-METAL. ]
            |
           Yes
            |
            v
[ Can it conduct electricity? ] --No--> [ It's likely a NON-METAL (like Graphite!). ]
            |
           Yes
            |
            v
[ If you tap it, does it ring? ] --No--> [ Might be a dull metal, but check other properties. ]
            |
           Yes
            |
            v
[ Congratulations! It is most likely a METAL! ]

Conclusion: Keep Exploring!

Awesome work today, material detective! You have learned how to tell the difference between the two major material families: metals and non-metals. From the chuma (steel) that builds our cities to the oxygen we breathe, you can now see the world through the eyes of a Pre-Technical Studies expert. Keep looking around, ask questions, and never stop exploring the amazing materials that make up our world!

Habari Mwanafunzi! Welcome to the Amazing World of Materials!

Look around you right now. What do you see? Maybe a metal spoon in a cup, a plastic chair, the wooden door to your classroom, or the glass in the window. Everything you see, touch, and use is made of different materials. Today, we are going on an exciting journey to explore the two biggest families in the materials world: Metals and Non-metals. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to look at an object and say, "Aha! I know your secrets!"

The Superstars of Strength: Meet the Metals!

Metals are materials that are usually strong, shiny, and have some very special skills! Think of the strong metal frames used to build tall buildings in Nairobi, or the tough pangas and jembes used on the farm. Those are all made of metals.

Here are their main properties:

• They are Lustrous (Shiny): When you polish a metal, it shines brightly. Think of a brand new sufuria or the silver KSh 20 coin. That shine is called lustre!
• Good Conductors of Heat and Electricity: This is a big one! Metals allow heat and electricity to pass through them easily. That's why your mother's cooking pot is metal – to get the heat from the jiko to the food quickly. It's also why KPLC uses metal wires (like copper or aluminium) to bring electricity to our homes.
• They are Malleable: This fancy word means you can hammer a metal into thin sheets without it breaking. A great Kenyan example is the fundi at a jua kali workshop hammering a flat piece of metal to make a mabati roof or a metal box (sanduku).
• They are Ductile: This means metals can be pulled and stretched into thin wires. The very same electrical wires we talked about are a perfect example of ductility.
• They are Sonorous: This means they make a ringing sound when you hit them. Think of the school bell! When you strike it, it makes a loud, clear RING-RING-RING! That's a metal property. A piece of wood, on the other hand, just makes a dull "thud".

Real-World Story: The Fundi's Craft

Next time you pass a jua kali artisan's workshop, stop and watch for a moment. You will see them take a rough piece of iron (chuma) and, using heat and a hammer, transform it. They might bend it to make a window grill or hammer it flat to fix a wheelbarrow. They are using the properties of malleability and strength to create useful things for our communities. That is science in action!

Image Suggestion: A vibrant, sunlit photo of a Kenyan 'jua kali' artisan, wearing protective goggles, hammering a glowing hot piece of metal on an anvil. Sparks are flying, and in the background are finished metal products like chairs and window frames. The style should be realistic and inspiring.

The Versatile Helpers: Say Hello to Non-Metals!

If metals are the strong superstars, non-metals are the clever and versatile helpers. They are often the 'opposite' of metals in many ways. They include things like the plastic handle on the sufuria, the charcoal we use for cooking, and even the air we breathe!

Here are their main properties:

• They are Dull: Most non-metals are not shiny. A piece of charcoal or a plastic basin doesn't reflect light like a metal does.
• Poor Conductors (Insulators): This is their most important job! They do NOT allow heat or electricity to pass through them easily. This is why the handle of a cooking pot is made of plastic or wood – to stop the heat from burning your hand! It's also why electrical wires are coated in plastic – to stop the electricity from shocking you. They are protectors!
• They are Brittle: You cannot hammer a non-metal into a sheet. If you hit a piece of charcoal with a hammer, it will just shatter into a powder. It is brittle.
• They have Low Density: Non-metals are usually much lighter for their size compared to metals. Imagine lifting a large plastic basin and then lifting a metal basin of the same size. The metal one is much heavier!

Image Suggestion: A close-up shot of an electric cable that has been cut to show the inside. You can clearly see the shiny copper metal wires (conductor) on the inside, surrounded by a thick, colourful plastic coating (insulator). The lighting should highlight the contrast between the two materials.

A Deeper Look: Atoms and Density

So, why are metals and non-metals so different? It all comes down to their tiny building blocks called atoms. In metals, some tiny particles called electrons can move around freely. This flow of electrons is what we call electricity!

    A Simple Look at a Metal Atom

    +-----------------+
    |  Nucleus (Core) |
    |       (+)       |
    +-----------------+
           /
          /
    e- (An electron) --> In metals, these electrons can jump
                           from one atom to the next,
                           carrying heat or electricity!

Another way we can measure the difference is by calculating Density. Density tells us how much "stuff" (mass) is packed into a certain amount of space (volume). Heavy materials like metals are very dense.

    MATHS CORNER: Calculating Density

    The formula for density is:
    Density = Mass / Volume

    Example Problem:
    A student finds a small block of iron at a workshop.
    - Its mass is 390 grams.
    - Its volume is 50 cubic centimetres (cm³).
    What is its density?

    Step 1: Write down the formula.
    Density = Mass / Volume

    Step 2: Put the numbers into the formula.
    Density = 390 g / 50 cm³

    Step 3: Calculate the answer.
    Density = 7.8 g/cm³

    That's quite dense! A piece of plastic of the same size would have a density of around 1 g/cm³.

Summary: The Great Showdown!

Let's put our two families side-by-side to see their differences clearly.

• Appearance: Metals are Lustrous (Shiny), while Non-metals are Dull.
• Conductivity: Metals are Good Conductors, while Non-metals are Poor Conductors (Insulators).
• Response to Hammering: Metals are Malleable and Ductile, while Non-metals are Brittle.
• Sound: Metals are Sonorous (Ringing sound), while Non-metals make a Dull sound.
• Density: Metals usually have a High Density, while Non-metals have a Low Density.

Your Turn to be the Expert!

Fantastic work today! You have learned the fundamental differences between metals and non-metals. You can now see that materials are chosen for a job based on their special properties. A sufuria needs a metal part to heat the food and a non-metal part to protect your hand. It's all about teamwork!

Your Challenge: Walk around your home or school. Find 5 objects made of metal and 5 objects made of non-metals. Write them down in your notebook, and next to each one, write down at least one property that makes it perfect for its job. Keep exploring, keep asking questions!