Transition Metals, Alloys & Corrosion Practice Questions

Question 1

2 marks

The table gives some information about four metals, labelled A, B, C and D.

Metal	Melting point / °C	Density / g cm $^{-3}$	Colour of its sulfate
A	98	0.97	white
B	1495	8.90	pink
C	660	2.70	white
D	63	0.86	white

(a)

Which metal, A, B, C or D, is a transition metal?

/ 1

(b)

Other than the properties shown in the table, state one typical property of a transition metal.

/ 1

Question 2

3 marks

Iron railings left outdoors slowly corrode.

(a)

Complete the sentence.

When a metal corrodes, the metal atoms are ______________ .

/ 1

(b)

Name the two substances that must both be present for iron to rust.

/ 1

(c)

Name the compound formed when iron rusts.

/ 1

Question 3

4 marks

Metals are chosen for a job because of their properties.

(a)

The connectors on a computer memory card are coated with gold.

Give two properties of gold that make it suitable for this use.

/ 2

(b)

Copper is used for the water pipes in a house.

State one property of copper that makes it suitable for this use.

/ 1

(c)

Drinks cans are made from aluminium rather than from steel.

State one property of aluminium that makes it suitable for this use.

/ 1

Question 0

4 marks

A jeweller finds that rings made from pure silver bend and scratch very easily. Rings made from sterling silver, an alloy of silver and copper, are much harder.

The diagram shows models of the arrangement of atoms in a pure metal and in an alloy.

(a)

State what is meant by the term alloy.

/ 1

(b)

Use the models to explain why sterling silver is harder than pure silver.

/ 3

Question 0

4 marks

A steel bathroom tap is electroplated with a thin layer of chromium.

(a)

In the electroplating cell, state:

(i) which electrode the steel tap must be connected to

(ii) a suitable electrolyte to use.

/ 2

(b)

Explain two reasons why the steel tap is electroplated with chromium.

/ 2

Question 0

4 marks

Blocks of zinc are bolted onto the steel hull of a ship below the water line.

(a)

Name the method of rust prevention that uses the blocks of zinc.

/ 1

(b)

Explain how the blocks of zinc stop the steel hull rusting.

/ 2

(c)

Suggest why the blocks of zinc have to be checked and replaced regularly.

/ 1

Question 0

5 marks

Pure iron from a blast furnace is nearly always converted into an alloy steel before it is used.

The table gives information about four alloy steels.

Alloy steel	Elements added to the iron	Property
P	chromium and nickel	resists corrosion
Q	a small amount of carbon	soft, easily pressed into shape
R	a large amount of carbon	very hard but brittle
S	tungsten	stays hard at high temperatures

(a)

Explain why iron is alloyed with other elements to make alloy steels.

/ 2

(b)

Choose the most suitable alloy steel, P, Q, R or S, for each of these uses. Use each letter once only.

(i) the body panels of a car

(ii) the tip of a drill bit that becomes very hot in use

(iii) a surgical scalpel blade that is washed and sterilised after every operation

/ 3

Question 0

5 marks

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Magnalium is an alloy of aluminium and magnesium.

(a)

The pins of a UK electrical plug are made from brass.

Give two properties of brass that make it suitable for this use.

/ 2

(b)

An engineer must choose a material for the outer body panels of a small aircraft.

Material	Density / g cm $^{-3}$	Relative strength	Resists corrosion
pure aluminium	2.70	low	yes
magnalium	2.60	high	yes
brass	8.50	high	yes
mild steel	7.90	high	no

Using the table, explain which material the engineer should choose.

/ 2

(c)

Suggest why door handles are made from brass rather than from pure copper.

/ 1

Question 0

5 marks

A student investigates the conditions needed for iron to rust. An identical iron nail is placed in each of three test tubes, as shown.

The tubes are left for one week. Only the nail in tube A rusts.

(a)

Explain why the nail in tube B does not rust.

/ 2

(b)

Explain why the nail in tube C does not rust.

/ 2

(c)

Explain why tube A is needed in this investigation.

/ 1

Question 0

6 marks

Steel sheet for buckets can be coated with a thin layer of zinc (galvanised steel). Steel sheet for food cans is often coated with a thin layer of tin instead.

The order of reactivity of the three metals is: zinc > iron > tin.

(a)

Explain how an unscratched coating of either zinc or tin prevents the steel underneath from rusting.

/ 2

(b)

A galvanised bucket and a tin-plated can are both deeply scratched, exposing the steel beneath.

The steel of the bucket still does not rust, but the steel of the can rusts quickly.

Explain these observations.

/ 4

Atomic Structure

States of Matter & Mixtures

Chemical changes

Extracting metals & equilibria

Separate Chemistry 1

Groups in the periodic table

Rates of reaction & energy changes

Fuels & Earth science

Separate Chemistry 2

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Question 2

Question 3

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