Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · CHEMISTRY · Chapter
Extraction and Uses of Metals
128 practice questions
Topics covered
- Extracting metals from their ores19 practice questions
- Metals below carbon in the reactivity series19 practice questions
- Metals above carbon in the reactivity series18 practice questions
- Properties and uses of some metals19 practice questions
- Uses of aluminium19 practice questions
- Properties and uses of different kinds of steel20 practice questions
Practice questions
111–120 of 128
Question 111
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 112
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 113
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 114
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.
Question 115
5 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Zinc and iron are both important metals obtained from ores.
(a)[1 mark]State what an ore is.
(b)[1 mark]Name an unreactive metal that is often found native (uncombined) in the Earth's crust.
(c)[2 marks]Explain why carbon can be used to extract iron from its ore, but not aluminium.
(d)[1 mark]Zinc can be extracted by first roasting zinc sulfide in air. Write a word equation for this reaction.
Question 116
5 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Aluminium and different types of steel are commonly used in construction and for making vehicles.
(a)[2 marks]Explain why aluminium resists corrosion and state one use of aluminium that makes use of this property.
(b)[3 marks]Mild steel and stainless steel are types of steel used in construction. For each type:
i) State ONE typical use.
ii) Explain, for each use, why that type of steel is suitable.
Question 117
5 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A company is designing a new bridge. The main parts of the bridge can be made either from an aluminium alloy or from mild steel. The table below gives key properties of these materials:
Properties of aluminium alloy and mild steel Material Density (g/cm^3) Typical use Ability to resist corrosion Aluminium alloy 2.7 Aircraft, cables, building Yes Mild steel 7.8 Car bodies, bridges, nails No The bridge must be strong, corrosion-resistant, and lightweight.
(a)[2 marks]State one advantage and one disadvantage of using aluminium alloy instead of mild steel for the main structure of the bridge. Explain your choices.
(b)[2 marks]Calculate the mass of a metal beam of volume 2 m^3 made from (i) aluminium alloy and (ii) mild steel. Give your answers in kilograms.
(c)[1 mark]Explain why mild steel is preferred over high-carbon steel for making bridge structures.
Question 118
5 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Aluminium and steels are widely used metals and alloys in everyday life.
(a)[2 marks]Describe why pure aluminium is rarely used in construction and how adding other elements strengthens it.
(b)[2 marks]Mild steel and high-carbon steel are two important types of steel. State the element that is mainly mixed with iron to make these steels and describe how their properties differ.
(c)[1 mark]State one typical use of high-carbon steel and explain why its properties make it suitable for this use.
Question 119
6 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Metals such as aluminium and sodium are found above carbon in the reactivity series. Aluminium is a widely used metal in the modern world.
(a)[2 marks]Explain why aluminium cannot be extracted from its ore by heating it with carbon.
(b)[2 marks]State and explain one property of aluminium that makes it suitable for use in overhead electricity cables.
(c)[2 marks]Copper is also used in electricity cables. Compare one property of copper with aluminium that affects its use in cables.
Question 120
6 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Aluminium is a metal that is extracted from its ore using electrolysis. Aluminium alloys are used for many applications due to their improved properties compared to pure aluminium.
(a)[2 marks]Explain why aluminium is extracted by electrolysis and not by reduction with carbon.
(b)Aluminium objects are usually made from alloys instead of pure aluminium.
(i)[1 mark]Define the term 'alloy'.
(ii)[3 marks]Explain, using ideas about the arrangement of atoms, why alloys are harder than pure metals. You may use a labelled diagram or clear description in your answer.