Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to:

  • Describe chemical and physical properties of wood

The above objectives correspond with the following Alabama Course of Study Objectives: ACOS 14Describe chemical and physical properties of wood..

Overview

Wood has many qualities that make it desirable for construction and other useful things. Hardwoods have great durability and toughness making them desirable where materials have to endure heavy stress loads. Softwoods are used mostly in residential structures because of their cheaper price and weakness.

Several properties of wood help to determine its usefulness. Those properties include:

  • strength
  • beauty
  • insulating qualities
  • flexibility
  • tendency to shrink when dry
  • tendency to warp

So, what are the chemical and physical characteristics of wood that help determine its usefulness?

 Stack of lumber

 

 

 

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