9. Metals
- Syllabus
- 0620–2026–2027
- Section
- 9
- Level
- —
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In this section
Topic 9.1
9.1 Properties of metals
Objectives in this topic
9.1.1—Compare the general physical
- Compare the general physical properties of metals and non-metals, (a) thermal conductivity (b) electrical conductivity (c) malleability and ductility (d) melting points and boiling points
9.1.2—General chemical properties of metals
- Describe general chemical properties of metals, limited to their reactions with: (a) dilute acids (b) cold water and steam (c) oxygen
Topic 9.2
9.2 Uses of metals
Objectives in this topic
9.2.1—Metal uses to properties: aluminium
- Link metal uses to properties: aluminium for aircraft (low density), overhead cables (low density/conductivity), food containers (corrosion resistance); copper wiring (conductivity/ductility)
Topic 9.3
9.3 Alloys and their properties
Objectives in this topic
9.3.1—An alloy as a mixture of a metal with
- Describe an alloy as a mixture of a metal with other elements, (a) brass as a mixture of copper and zinc (b) stainless steel as a mixture of iron and other elements such as chromium, nickel and carbon
9.3.2—Alloys can be harder and stronger than
- State: alloys can be harder and stronger than the pure metals and are more useful
9.3.3—Uses of alloys in terms of their
- Describe uses of alloys in terms of their physical properties, including stainless steel in cutlery because of its hardness and resistance to rusting
9.3.4—Representations of alloys from
- Identify representations of alloys from diagrams of structure
9.3.5—Alloys can be harder/stronger than
- Explain why alloys can be harder/stronger than pure metals: different-sized atoms stop layers sliding easily
Topic 9.4
9.4 Reactivity series
Objectives in this topic
9.4.1—Order of the reactivity series as
- State the order of the reactivity series as: potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, carbon, zinc, iron, hydrogen, copper, silver, gold
9.4.2—Reactions of metals with
- Describe reactions of metals with water/steam/acids: potassium, sodium and calcium with cold water; magnesium with steam; magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, silver and gold with dilute hydrochloric acid; link to reactivity series
9.4.3—Deduce an order of reactivity from a
- Deduce an order of reactivity from a given set of experimental results
9.4.4—Relative reactivities of metals in
- Describe relative reactivities of metals in terms of their tendency to form positive ions, by displacement reactions, if any, with the aqueous ions of magnesium, zinc, iron, copper and silver
9.4.5—Apparent unreactivity of aluminium in
- Explain the apparent unreactivity of aluminium in terms of its oxide layer
Topic 9.5
9.5 Corrosion of metals
Objectives in this topic
9.5.1—Conditions required for the rusting of
- State the conditions required for the rusting of iron and steel to form hydrated iron(III) oxide
9.5.2—Some common barrier methods
- State some common barrier methods, including painting, greasing and coating with plastic
9.5.3—Barrier methods prevent rusting by
- Describe how barrier methods prevent rusting by excluding oxygen or water
9.5.4—Use of zinc in galvanising as an
- Describe use of zinc in galvanising as an example of a barrier method and sacrificial protection
9.5.5—Sacrificial protection in terms of the
- Explain sacrificial protection in terms of the reactivity series and in terms of electron loss
Topic 9.6
9.6 Extraction of metals
Objectives in this topic
9.6.1—Ease in obtaining metals from their
- Describe ease in obtaining metals from their ores, related to the position of the metal in the reactivity series
9.6.2—Iron extraction from hematite in a
- Describe iron extraction from hematite in a blast furnace: coke burns for heat/CO2; CO2 is reduced to CO; CO reduces iron(III) oxide; limestone decomposes to calcium oxide; slag forms. Symbol equations not required
9.6.3—Main ore of aluminium is bauxite and
- State: the main ore of aluminium is bauxite and that aluminium is extracted by electrolysis
9.6.4—Symbol equations for the extraction of
- State the symbol equations for the extraction of iron from hematite (a) C + O2 → CO2 (b) C + CO2 → 2CO (c) Fe 2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2 (d) CaCO 3 → CaO + CO2 (e) CaO + SiO2 → CaSiO3
9.6.5—Aluminium extraction from purified
- Describe aluminium extraction from purified bauxite/aluminium oxide: role of cryolite, why carbon anodes are replaced, and electrode reactions with ionic half-equations. Bauxite purification not required