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Science Quiz - Chemistry - Physical Properties and Uses of Metals (AQA) (Questions)

Metals have different physical properties, such as strength, density and melting point. These properties decide which metal we choose for wires, bridges, vehicles and food packaging.

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Fascinating Fact:

Aluminium forms a thin oxide layer that resists corrosion, so it is used for aircraft, window frames and drink cans.

In GCSE Science (Chemistry), you compare the physical properties of metals, such as strength, density, conductivity and melting point. Understanding these differences explains why particular metals are chosen for buildings, transport and everyday objects.

Key Terms

  • Metal: An element that is usually shiny, conducts heat and electricity, and can often be bent or hammered into shape.
  • Physical property: A feature of a material that can be measured, such as melting point, density, hardness or electrical conductivity.
  • Corrosion: A chemical process that slowly damages metals, for example rusting of iron when it reacts with water and oxygen.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What are the main physical properties of metals?

Metals are usually good conductors of heat and electricity, shiny when polished, and strong. Many are malleable, meaning they can be hammered into shape, and ductile, so they can be drawn into wires.

How do the properties of metals affect their uses?

The properties decide the use. Strong metals are used in construction, good electrical conductors are used in cables, and metals that withstand heat are used in engine parts and cooking pans.

Why is aluminium useful for aircraft and vehicles?

Aluminium has a low density, so it is light, and it forms a protective oxide layer that helps resist corrosion. This combination makes it ideal for aircraft bodies and some vehicle parts.

Try These Related Quizzes

1. Which of the following is not a physical property of titanium?
[ ] Low density
[ ] Corrosion resistant
[ ] Conducts electricity
[ ] Very strong
2. Why are the metals magnesium and titanium used to make alloys for aircraft frames?
[ ] They are light metals
[ ] They are heavy metals
[ ] They are transition metals
[ ] They are silver coloured metals
3. Aluminuim is not as good a conductor of electricity as copper so why is it used for making the electrical cables for the National Grid?
[ ] It is easier than copper to make it into wires
[ ] It doesn't expand or contract
[ ] It is silver coloured so birds and pilots can see and avoid the cables
[ ] The density of aluminium is less than that of copper
4. Which of the following metals would be suitable for making a hammer?
[ ] Steel
[ ] Cast iron
[ ] Copper
[ ] Titanium
5. Many people who ride mountain bikes buy parts made from titanium alloys. Which of the following is not a practical reason for making this choice?
[ ] Titanium alloys are lightweight
[ ] Titanium alloys have a high melting point
[ ] Titanium alloys are durable
[ ] Titanium alloys are resistant to metal fatigue
6. Steel corrodes but it is still the best metal for making car bodies. Why is this?
[ ] Steel is shiny and makes cars look good
[ ] Steel conducts electricity
[ ] Steel conducts heat well
[ ] Steel is strong and malleable
7. Tungsten is a transition metal that is used for making the filaments of some electric light bulbs. What is the most likely reason for this?
[ ] Tungsten has a high density
[ ] Tungsten has a high boiling point
[ ] Tungsten has a high melting point
[ ] Tungsten is very cheap
8. House electrical systems require a good earthing system to make them safe. The earthing system carries electricity safely into the ground and causes the safety devices in the house to 'trip', preventing electric shocks. Electricians sometimes fix the earth wires of a domestic electrical system to copper pipes used for the plumbing. Why is this?
[ ] The water in the pipe conducts electricity to earth
[ ] Copper is a good conductor of electricity
[ ] The pipes will stay cool in the event of an electrical emergency
[ ] It is an easy thing to do and saves them the time and trouble of putting a proper system in place
9. Why do metals conduct electricity?
[ ] They have ionic bonds
[ ] They have covalent bonds
[ ] They have free electrons
[ ] The layers of ions in a metal
10. Why can metals be bent and pulled into shape?
[ ] The atoms of metals are soft
[ ] The layers of metal ions are able to slide over and past each other
[ ] The ions of a metal are able to break free of each other
[ ] They are ionically bonded

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Metals and alloys - AQA

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Science Quiz - Chemistry - Physical Properties and Uses of Metals (AQA) (Answers)
1. Which of the following is not a physical property of titanium?
[ ] Low density
[x] Corrosion resistant
[ ] Conducts electricity
[ ] Very strong
Corrosion resistance is a chemical property
2. Why are the metals magnesium and titanium used to make alloys for aircraft frames?
[x] They are light metals
[ ] They are heavy metals
[ ] They are transition metals
[ ] They are silver coloured metals
When they are alloyed with aluminium, they form light but extremely strong alloys
3. Aluminuim is not as good a conductor of electricity as copper so why is it used for making the electrical cables for the National Grid?
[ ] It is easier than copper to make it into wires
[ ] It doesn't expand or contract
[ ] It is silver coloured so birds and pilots can see and avoid the cables
[x] The density of aluminium is less than that of copper
There are several reasons but one of the important ones is that cables carrying electricity in the National Grid need to be large and therefore will be heavy. Using a low density metal like aluminium keeps the weight down as far as possible
4. Which of the following metals would be suitable for making a hammer?
[x] Steel
[ ] Cast iron
[ ] Copper
[ ] Titanium
Cast iron is too brittle and would break, copper is too soft and titanium would be too expensive
5. Many people who ride mountain bikes buy parts made from titanium alloys. Which of the following is not a practical reason for making this choice?
[ ] Titanium alloys are lightweight
[x] Titanium alloys have a high melting point
[ ] Titanium alloys are durable
[ ] Titanium alloys are resistant to metal fatigue
Titanium alloys are particularly of interest to racing cyclists who need tough, reliable and lightweight parts for their bikes. The melting point is of no concern to them at all!
6. Steel corrodes but it is still the best metal for making car bodies. Why is this?
[ ] Steel is shiny and makes cars look good
[ ] Steel conducts electricity
[ ] Steel conducts heat well
[x] Steel is strong and malleable
A car body needs to be able to protect the occupants and to be easy to shape
7. Tungsten is a transition metal that is used for making the filaments of some electric light bulbs. What is the most likely reason for this?
[ ] Tungsten has a high density
[ ] Tungsten has a high boiling point
[x] Tungsten has a high melting point
[ ] Tungsten is very cheap
Tungsten isn't one of the metals that you are required to know about but the examiners will often throw in questions about materials that you don't know. They are testing to see if you can make logical choices using what you know about the physIcal properties of metals being linked to their uses
8. House electrical systems require a good earthing system to make them safe. The earthing system carries electricity safely into the ground and causes the safety devices in the house to 'trip', preventing electric shocks. Electricians sometimes fix the earth wires of a domestic electrical system to copper pipes used for the plumbing. Why is this?
[ ] The water in the pipe conducts electricity to earth
[x] Copper is a good conductor of electricity
[ ] The pipes will stay cool in the event of an electrical emergency
[ ] It is an easy thing to do and saves them the time and trouble of putting a proper system in place
Water pipes are buried in the ground. Copper is a very good electrical conductor. Putting the two together makes a good way of providing an earthing system for older houses in particular. In newer houses that use plastic for the plumbing, a different system is used
9. Why do metals conduct electricity?
[ ] They have ionic bonds
[ ] They have covalent bonds
[x] They have free electrons
[ ] The layers of ions in a metal
Some of the atoms in a metal lose an electron from their outermost energy level (shell) and these are free to move through the structure. Electricity is a flow of electrons
10. Why can metals be bent and pulled into shape?
[ ] The atoms of metals are soft
[x] The layers of metal ions are able to slide over and past each other
[ ] The ions of a metal are able to break free of each other
[ ] They are ionically bonded
We say metals are ductile (can be pulled into shape) and malleable (can be hammered or bent into shape)
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