Metals

Question 1

What are ores

Answer 1

naturally occurring rocks that contain metals

Question 2

What is mining?

Answer 2

Mining is the process used to extract metals. Mining is disruptive to the surrounding environment and the atmosphere.

Question 3

Can metals be recycled?

Answer 3

Most metals can be recycled

Question 4

Metals can be categorized into two groups:

Answer 4

• Ferrous, contains iron and is magnetic
• Non-ferrous, doesn’t contain iron and isn’t magnetic

Question 5

Ferrous metals properties

Answer 5

• Contain iron.
• Magnetic - helps to sort material when recycling.
• Carbon content make it prone to corrosion when exposed to moisture and oxygen- rust.
• Properties: Hardness, malleability - related to carbon content (more carbon the harder and less malleable the material becomes.)

Question 6

Non-ferrous metals properties

Answer 6

• Doesn’t contain iron this makes them desirable due to malleable properties and resistant to corrosion.
• The majority are not magnetic - good for electronic devices and wiring.
• After steel, aluminium is the most widely used metal.

Question 7

Ferrous metals examples

Answer 7

• cast iron
• low carbon steel
• high carbon steel

Question 8

Non-ferrous metals examples

Answer 8

Aluminium
Copper
Zinc

Question 9

What’s an Alloy?

Answer 9

Metals formed by mixing together two or more metals to produce a new metal that has improved characteristics and properties.

Question 10

Alloys properties

Answer 10

● Adjust their mechanical and physical properties in order to produce a more suitable material for a particular purpose.
● They can be both Ferrous and non Ferrous depending on the pure metal included.

Question 11

Aluminium properties and uses

Answer 11

• Composition: Pure metal, non-ferrous
• Properties: Light grey with a matt finish, good strength-to-weight ratio, light, soft, ductile, good conductor of heat and electricity
• Uses: Aircraft, window frames, kitchen equipment, overhead electricity cables, drinks’ cans

Question 12

Copper properties and uses

Answer 12

• Composition: Pure metal, non-ferrous
• Properties: Reddish, polishes well but can oxidise to a green colour, very malleable and ductile, good conductor of heat and electricity, resistant to corrosion, welds easily
• Uses: Used extensively in electrical equipment such as wiring as well as roofing, water pipes, decorative goods

Question 13

Zinc properties and uses

Answer 13

• Composition: Pure metal, non-ferrous
• Properties: Silvery blue with a matt finish, brittle and crystalline, high heat capacity and heat conductivity and fairly good corrosion resistance, often used to galvanise steel.
• Uses: used in paints, rubber, cosmetics, plastics, textiles and electrical equipment.

Question 14

Cast iron properties and uses

Answer 14

• Composition: Alloy, ferrous
• Properties: Dull grey, rusts easily, brittle if thin, relatively weak in tension, has excellent compressive strength, tough, resistant to deformation, can be cast in a mould.
• Uses: commonly used in pipes, machines, automotive industry parts, manhole covers, pans and gates

Question 15

Low carbon steel properties and uses

Answer 15

• Composition: Alloy, ferrous
• Properties: Grey and smooth, rusts if not protected, good ductility and toughness. It is also malleable and easily joined, brazed and welded, versatile, poor corrosion resistance.
• Uses: Is often used for shipbuilding, wire, nuts, bolts, bike frames

Question 16

High carbon steel properties and uses

Answer 16

• Composition: Alloy, ferrous
• Properties: Grey, smooth, does not rust easily, brittle, sharpens well, harder than low-carbon steel and less ductile, generally has a higher corrosion resistance than low carbon steel.
• Uses: Is often used for cutting tools, springs, coils for the manufacturing industry and construction