Classify means to group objects based on shared qualities or properties. Scientists and engineers often put objects into groups that have the same property, such as color, hardness or texture. Knowing properties is important when you make things.
To better understand how classification works…
LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!
We can classify materials by color.
When we classify objects based on color we put all the objects with the same color together in one group. We can do this with clothes, paper, candy and many other things.
We can classify materials by texture.
Texture describes how smooth or how rough something is. A book is smooth, while a brick is rough.
Texture is important when designing things.
A slide needs to be smooth to make it easy to slide down. Can you imagine what a rough slide would feel like?
We can classify materials by hardness.
Some things like wood are hard. Some things like blankets are soft.
Hardness is important when choosing materials that need to be strong.
Building materials need to be hard. They need to be hard in order to build a strong and sturdy house or building.