Properties of metals

Question 1

what are the basic properties of all metals?

Answer 1

1. strong but can be bent into different shapes
2. good conductors of heat
3. good conductors of electricity

Question 2

why do transition metals have lots of everyday uses?

Answer 2

1. strength and ability to bend makes them useful for making into things like bridges and car bodies
2. idea if you want to make something that heat needs to travel through e.g a saucepan base
3. conductivity good for making things like electrical wires

Question 3

properties of copper

Answer 3

1. good conductor of electricity (good for electrical wires)
2. hard and strong but can be bent
3. doesn’t react with water

Question 4

properties of aluminium

Answer 4

1. corrosion-resistant
2. low density
3. not particularly strong but forms hard, strong alloys

Question 5

properties of titanium

Answer 5

1. low density
2. very strong
3. corrosion resistant

Question 6

what metal would be good for plumbing?

Answer 6

copper- can be bent to make pipes and tanks, below hydrogen in the reactivity series so doesn’t react with water

Question 7

what metal would be good for making an aeroplane?

Answer 7

aluminium- strong, can be bent into shape, light

Question 8

what metal would be good for making replacement hips?

Answer 8

titanium- won’t corrode when in contact with water, light, not too bendy

Question 9

why are metals not perfect?

Answer 9

1. some corrode when exposed to air and water (so need to be protected)
2. metal fatigue-when stresses and strains are repeatedly put on them over time, metals breaking can be dangerous e.g in planes