C6.1.13-6.1.16

Question 1

What are ceramics, their structure and what are some examples of ceramics?

Answer 1

• Hard, non-metallic materials.
• Contain metals and non-metals combined in a giant ionic lattice or giant covalent structure.
  E.g. brick, china, porcelain, glass

Question 2

What are the properties of ceramics?

Answer 2

• High melting points
• Hard, stiff but brittle
• Poor conductors of electricity and heat
• Unreactive as they are mostly oxides

Question 3

How is glass made?

Answer 3

Melting sand, allowing it to cool and solidify.

It can be moulded when hot and brittle.

Question 4

How are pottery and bricks made?

Answer 4

Clay is a mineral formed from weathered and decomposed rock. It is soft when dug up so easy to mould for shapes for pottery and bricks.
The clay is then heated at a high temperature.

Question 5

What factors need to be considered when choosing a material for an electrical cable?

Answer 5

• Lightweight and strong so it doesn’t snap
• Resistant to corrosion
• Conduct electricity

Question 6

What factors need to be considered when choosing a material for an insulator?

Answer 6

• Prevent an electrical current (poor electrical conductors)

- e.g. ceramics or polymers

Question 7

What is a composite material?

Answer 7

A material made from two or more materials with properties different to those of the individual materials.

Question 8

What is an example of a composite material/

Answer 8

Fibreglass.
- Fibres of glass embedded in a matrix of a polymer.
Fibres have a low density and high tensile strength.
The resin is hardwearing but not strong. Together the fibreglass is lightweight, strong and hard.

Question 9

How are composites used in buildings?

Answer 9

• Made of steel reinforced concrete to combine the the high tensile strength of steel with the high compressive strength of concrete.

Question 10

Why is recycling of material important? (3)

Answer 10

• conservation of limited raw materials and energy resources
• reduce the release of harmful gases into the atmosphere
• reduce waste and landfill

Question 11

What factors determine whether or not a material or product is recycled?

Answer 11

• how easily the waste can be collected, sorted and disposed of
• amount and type of byproduct released by recycling
• cost of recycling compared to incineration and landfill disposal
• energy wastage at each stage

Question 12

How is metal processed during recycling ?

Answer 12

• metals are melted

- molten metal poured into mounds to produce blocks called ingots which can be used again

Question 13

How is paper processed during recycling ?

Answer 13

• mixed with water, cleaned and rolled and heated to make new paper

Question 14

How is glass processed during recycling?

Answer 14

Glass is melted and moulder into new glass mounds

Question 15

How are polymers processed during recycling?

Answer 15

Melted and formed into new objects