Properties Of Metals Flashcards
What is meant by malleable?
Can be bent or hammered into different shapes.
What is meant by ductile?
Can be stretched into wires.
What are the exact properties of aluminium?
Low density
Corrosion resistant
Why is aluminium corrosion resistant?
It has a protective layer of aluminium oxide that forms quickly on its surface so prevents corrosion.
Why is aluminium used in the manufacture of aeroplanes?
It has a low density and the lighter an aeroplane is, the less fuel it needs.
Why is aluminium used in the manufacture of car bodies?
It has a low density so reduces the weight of the car so less fuel is needed.
What are the exact properties of copper?
Strong
High melting point
Electrical conductor
Low reactivity
Why is copper used in electrical cables?
A good electrical conductor and has a high melting point.
Why is copper to make water pipes?
It has low reactivity and doesn’t react with water.
What are the exact properties of gold?
Unreactive Corrosion resistant Shiny Malleable Electrical conductor
Why is gold used to make jewellery?
It is malleable so can be bent into any shape and is corrosion resistant so doesn’t tarnish and therefore remains shiny.
Why is gold used in electronic devices and circuit boards?
It is a very good electrical conductor.
What are the exact properties of iron and steel.
Iron is too soft.
Steel is strong and magnetic
Both rust.
Why is iron made into steel?
Pure iron is too soft too be useful so is mixed with other metals to form steel which is harder and stronger.
Why is steel used in the manufacture of structural materials, eg bridges, cars, machinery and building frames?
It is very strong and hard.
