Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · CHEMISTRY · Section
Properties and uses of different kinds of steel
20 practice questions
Practice questions
11–20 of 20
Question 11
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →State one advantage and one disadvantage of using high-carbon steel instead of mild steel for making nails.
Question 12
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Two companies plan to produce saucepans and garden spades. They are choosing between mild steel, high-carbon steel, and stainless steel.
(a)[1 mark]Explain, with one property, why stainless steel is preferred over mild steel for saucepans.
(b)[1 mark]State a key property of high-carbon steel that makes it better than mild steel for the blade of a garden spade.
(c)[1 mark]Suggest a disadvantage of using stainless steel for the entire production in both cases.
(d)[1 mark]Compare one advantage and one disadvantage of mild steel compared to high-carbon steel in practical use.
Question 13
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Explain, in terms of properties, why a railway company would choose to use high-carbon steel for making the rails but mild steel for the carriage bodies.
Question 14
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Properties of three different steels Type of Steel Composition Main Property Typical Use Mild steel Up to 0.25% carbon Malleable Car bodies High-carbon steel 0.6–1.2% carbon Hard Cutting tools Stainless steel Chromium and nickel Corrosion resistant Kitchen sinks (a)[1 mark]From the table, state which steel would be most suitable for making food-processing equipment. Give a reason for your choice.
(b)[1 mark]Suggest which steel is likely to be easiest to shape into different forms during manufacture. State the property from the table that supports your answer.
(c)[1 mark]Explain, using the data, why high-carbon steel is chosen for cutting tools.
(d)[1 mark]Name a disadvantage of using mild steel where water is present.
Question 15
1 mark · Normal
Answer and check →Which of these is the typical composition of mild steel?
- A.Iron with up to 0.25% carbon
- B.Iron with 2% carbon
- C.Iron with chromium and nickel
- D.Iron with 1% carbon and manganese
Question 16
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →State one typical use of high-carbon steel. Give a reason for this use based on its properties.
Question 17
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A factory has a block of pure iron with a mass of 2000 kg. The factory wants to make mild steel by adding carbon to the iron so that the final carbon content is exactly 0.20% by mass.
Calculate:
(a)[3 marks]The mass of carbon, in kg, that must be added to the iron to make 2000 kg of mild steel containing 0.20% carbon by mass.
Question 18
2 marks · Hard
Answer and see the solution →A company is deciding between using high-carbon steel or stainless steel for manufacturing outdoor garden tools. Compare one key advantage and one disadvantage of using stainless steel instead of high-carbon steel for this purpose.
Question 19
5 marks · Hard
Answer and see the solution →Three types of steel are shown below.
(a)[2 marks]Describe the composition and one key property of mild steel.
(b)[2 marks]Explain how the composition of high-carbon steel makes it different from mild steel in terms of its properties.
(c)[1 mark]Identify the two main elements added to iron to make stainless steel and state why stainless steel does not rust easily.
Question 20
2 marks · Hard
Answer and see the solution →A food processing factory needs to choose a type of steel for making storage tanks that will contain acidic liquids. State which type of steel is most suitable and explain why, giving one property that supports your answer.