SC26 - Bulk and Surface Properties of Matter Including Nanoparticles Flashcards
SC26a - What are ceramics?
A range of durable compounds that change very little when heated
SC26a - What are the properties of ceramics?
- Chemically unreactive hard and stiff brittle
- Poor electrical and thermal conductors
- High melting points
These properties are due to their giant ionic/covalent structures with strong bonds
SC26a - What are three examples of clay ceramics?
- Bricks
- Porcelain
- China
SC26a - How are clay ceramics created?
- When clay is heated to high temperatures, tiny crystals form and join together.
- Bricks are decorated by adding a coloured substance before heating, or by moulding in patterns.
- Porcelain and china are dipped into a ‘glaze’ and heated strongly.
- This makes them hard, waterproof and smooth.
SC26a - How is glass created?
Melting sand and then allowing it to cool and then solidify
SC26a - What are the similarities and differences between glass and clay ceramics?
- They both have similar properties because they both have giant structures
- But, the atoms in glass aren’t arranged in a regular pattern to form crystals and so glass is transparent rather than opaque
SC26a - How is modern window glass created?
The float process:
- Molten glass is poured onto a bath of molten tin.
- As it spreads out, it is drawn away and cooled in a continuous process
SC26a - What are polymers?
Polymers are substances with high relative formula masses as they are formed by joining many monomers (smaller molecules) together
SC26a - What are some general properties of polymers?
Properties depend on structure and chemical composition, but generally:
- Can be moulded into complex shapes
- Strong
- Chemically unreactive
- Poor electrical and thermal conductors
SC26a - How can PVC be made softer?
By using plasticisers in its manufacturing.
This makes it more flexible
SC26a - What are some properties of metals?
- Strong
- Hard
- Shiny
- High melting points
- Good electrical and thermal conductors
- Malleable
SC26a - How can metals be made stronger?
Alloying: Mixing the metal with one or more other elements
SC26a - Why may a metal be electroplated?
- To improve resistance to corrosion
- To improve appearance
SC26b - What is a composite material?
A material that is made up of two or more materials, combined to make a material with improved properties
SC26b - How do the individual materials in a composite material relate to each other?
- They often have contrasting properties
- They can be separated out by physical means