Metals and Alloys

Question 1

What is a formulation?

Answer 1

Mixture designed to be a useful product e.g. paint, fuel, shampoo

Question 2

What is reduction?

Answer 2

Loss of oxygen by a substance

Question 3

What is oxidation?

Answer 3

Gain of oxygen by a substance

Question 4

What does acid + carbonate give you?

Answer 4

Salt + Water + Carbon dioxide

Question 5

Name the reactivity series

Answer 5

Potassium, Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium, Aluminium, Zinc, Iron, Tin, Lead, Copper, Silver, Gold

Question 6

What is the relation between a metal’s tendency to form a positive ion and its reactivity with water or dilute acids?

Answer 6

Metals that carry out oxidation react strongly with water and dilute acid

Question 7

How do you extract metals below carbon in the reactivity series?

Answer 7

Carbon reduction

Question 8

How do you extract metals above carbon in the reactivity series?

Answer 8

Electrolysis

Question 9

What is electrolysis?

Answer 9

Method of breaking down an ionic compound using electricity

Question 10

Name the steps of electrolysis

Answer 10

Metal ore is melted or dissolved with acid or water, electric current is pashed through solution using 2 electrodes (cathodes and anodes) and metal is collected at cathode

Question 11

What is an electrode?

Answer 11

Electrical conductor used in electrolysis

Question 12

What is a cathode?

Answer 12

Negative electrode

Question 13

What is an anode?

Answer 13

Positive electrode

Question 14

Name 2 other metal extraction methods

Answer 14

Phytomining and bioleaching

Question 15

What is phytomining?

Answer 15

Process that uses plants to absorb metal compounds from soil through their roots

Question 16

Name the steps for phytomining

Answer 16

Plants are grown on metal rich soil, they absorb metal ions through their roots, the plants are harvested then dried then burned, metal compounds are extracted from ash

Question 17

What are 3 advantages of phytomining?

Answer 17

Low-energy use, useful for low-grade ores, environmentally friendly

Question 18

What are 3 disadvantages of phytomining?

Answer 18

Slow, not suitable for all metals, dependent on climate and soil conditions

Question 19

What is bioleaching?

Answer 19

Method that uses bacteria to speed up reactions that release soluble metals compounds from metal sulfides

Question 20

Name the steps for bioleaching

Answer 20

Bacteria added to ore piles, solution containing metal ions called leachate is produced, pure metal then extracted

Question 21

What are 3 advantages of bioleaching?

Answer 21

Cheap, low energy use, low surface damage

Question 22

What are 3 disadvantages of bioleaching?

Answer 22

Slow, dependent on temperature and acidity and 02 levels, not suitable for all metals

Question 23

What is an example of an old or use material or product being turned into something new for a different purpose?

Answer 23

Plastic bottles are cleaned, shredded and then melted down and reformed into fibres, which are spun into yarn and woven into fleece fabric to be used in clothes

Question 24

Name factors that affect recycling

Answer 24

Cost, energy consumption, environmental impact, material type and condition

Question 25

What is an alloy?

Answer 25

Mixture of a metal and at least 1 other element

Question 26

What is the composition of bronze?

Answer 26

Copper and tin

Question 27

What are some uses of bronze?

Answer 27

Historical artifacts, musical instruments

Question 28

What is the composition of brass?

Answer 28

Copper and zinc

Question 29

What are some uses of brass?

Answer 29

Plumbing fittings, instruments

Question 30

What is the composition of duralumin?

Answer 30

Aluminium and copper

Question 31

What are some uses of duralumin?

Answer 31

Artifact frames, weapons

Question 32

What is the composition of stainless steel?

Answer 32

Iron and carbon

Question 33

What are some uses of stainless steel?

Answer 33

Medical equipment, kitchenware

Question 34

What is the composition of solder?

Answer 34

Tin and copper

Question 35

What are some uses of solder?

Answer 35

Plumbing, connecting electronic components

Question 36

What is corrosion?

Answer 36

Destruction of materials by chemical reactions with substances in environment

Question 37

Which substances can cause corrosion?

Answer 37

Water, oxygen, temperature, acid

Question 38

What is rusting?

Answer 38

Corrosion of iron with air and water

Question 39

What are the 2 ways of preventing corrosion?

Answer 39

Physical barrier, sacrificial protection

Question 40

How do you form a physical barrier?

Answer 40

Coat metal with another material like paint or oil to block O2 or water reaching its surface

Question 41

How do you use sacrificial protection?

Answer 41

Attach more reactive metal to metal you want to protect, more reactive metal will corrode first