Metals, Non-metals, Mettaloids and radioactivity

Question 0

What are some properties of non-metals?

Answer 0

Not malleable and ductile like metals are
They tend to be brittle and break if put under pressure
Have low melting and boiling points
Several are gas at room temperature
Are non-conductors and will not allow an electric current to pass through them easily

Question 1

Where are non-metals found?

Answer 1

On the right hand side of the periodic table (except for hydrogen). They are separated from the metals by the metalloids.

Question 2

What are metalloids?

Answer 2

They have properties between the metals and non-metals and are often called semi-conductors.

Question 3

How many metalloids are there?

Answer 3

8

Question 4

Where are metalloids found?

Answer 4

Between the metals and non-metals in a staircase arrangement

Question 5

Examples and uses of metalloids?

Answer 5

Boron (B) used in products like Borax.

Arsenic (As) used in poisons.

Antimony (Sb) used in flame-retardants.

Question 6

Examples of non-metals

Answer 6

Phosphorus (P) used to make match-heads.

Sulphur (S) used to make gunpowder and sulphuric acid.

Fluorine (F) used in small quantities in toothpaste.

Question 7

Where are metals found?

Answer 7

On the left side of the periodic table with the exception of hydrogen.

Question 8

Properties of metals

Answer 8

Lustrous (have a shiny appearance).
Have high melting points
Mostly solids at room temperature (except Mercury)
Good conductors of electricity
Can be beaten into a sheet (called malleability) al
Can be drawn into a wire (called ductility)
Metals are also good conductors of heat

Question 9

Examples of metals and their uses

Answer 9

Aluminium (Al) used to make cans, food wrap, power-lines, roofing materials, aircraft and boat hulls.

Copper (Symbol Cu) used to make water pipes and tanks, electric wiring and roofing.

Lead (Symbol Pb) used in plumbing, flashing, leadlight and in solder.

Question 10

What are metal alloys?

Answer 10

Different metals melted together and cooled to form a solid that has properties of all the metals it’s made of or totally different properties altogether.

Question 11

Examples of alloys and their uses

Answer 11

Steel (carbon and iron) used in building products and car bodies.

Cupronickel (copper and nickel) used in coins.

Bronze (copper and tin) used in water taps and statues.

Question 12

What is radioactivity?

Answer 12

Radioactivity is the act of emitting radiation spontaneously.

Question 13

The three types of radioactive decay

Answer 13

Alpha Decay (⍺)
Beta Decay (β)
Gamma Decay (γ)

Question 14

How many protons and neutrons do alpha particles have

Answer 14

2 protons and 2 neutrons, the same as a helium nucleus (He atom with no electrons)
Alpha particles have a mass of 4
A charge of +2

Question 15

Properties of beta particles.

Answer 15

Beta particles have a mass of 1/1837 (~1/2000)

Have a charge of -1

Question 16

Properties of gamma particles.

Answer 16

Gamma Rays are energy and have no mass at all (mass of 0)
Have no charge (charge of 0)
Travel at speed of light.

Question 17

Penetrating powers of alpha decay?

Answer 17

Alpha particles (α) High mass and move comparatively slowly.
Can be stopped by a few centimetres of air.
Have a high charge but low energy
Won’t penetrate skin but are very dangerous if swallowed.

Question 18

Penetrating powers of beta decay?

Answer 18

Beta particles (β) small mass and move fast. 
Can be stopped by a few millimetres of Aluminium.
Have a small charge but high energy.
Can be dangerous at medium range.

Question 20

Uses of radioactive materials

Answer 20

Smoke detectors
Thickness detectors for paper, foil, plastic etc…
Sterilisation of food, hospital equipment etc…
Radioactive dating
Radioactive tracers in medicine
Weld checking
Cancer treatment (radiography)

Question 22

Penetrating powers of gamma decay?

Answer 22

Gamma Rays (γ) no mass and move at the speed of light.
Can be stopped by thick lead or concrete.
Have very high energy.
Are dangerous at a distance.

Question 23

What causes radioactivity?

Answer 23

The atomic nucleus is unstable. It will give up some energy in order to shift to a more stable configuration.