Metals
Metals are shiny and hard, conduct heat and electricity well, and change shape when hammered. Iron and its alloys (cast iron, steel) are called ferrous metals; copper, aluminium, gold, silver and lead are non-ferrous metals. An alloy is two or more substances melted and mixed: steel is iron with carbon, brass is copper with zinc. Iron rusts in damp air, and rust eats it away, so it is painted or coated with another metal. Copper wires carry electricity, and light pans and aircraft parts are made from aluminium. Gold is rare and does not rust, so it is used for jewellery. Metals can be melted down and used again.
Test with a magnet (with an adult’s permission): do 5 metal objects (nail, spoon, coin, aluminium foil, paper clip) stick to it? Record in a table. Ones that stick may contain iron.