1. Alloys
Can you suggest why iron, copper, gold and aluminium are usually made into alloys?
Some
Most
Can you define the term ‘alloy’?
Can you name some examples of common alloys?
All
STARTER QUESTIONS - Full sentences
Which other element is mixed with iron to make steel?
Why do they mix this element with iron to make steel?

2. Starter Questions
Which other element is mixed with iron to make steel?
Carbon is mixed with iron to make steel.
Why do they mix this element with iron to make steel?
They mix carbon with iron to made it stronger. This happens because the particles cannot move over one another as easily.

3. Home Learning age damages energy local money ores
The sentences below are statements about the effect of recycling metals. Use words from the box to complete the sentences. Recycling ____________ the amount of energy needed. Recycling means less mining that _______________ the environment. Recycling metals uses less energy than extracting them from _________ . Recycling of aluminium cans eliminates ____________, saves ___________, conserves natural resources, reduces the use of landfill sites and provides _____________ for charities and _____________ government. A number of factors affect the amount of waste that is _____________ . Household size and the average _________ of residents have significant effects on recycling.
age damages energy local money ores
recycled reduces waste

4. Alloys of Gold
Pure gold is too soft and too expensive for most people.
This is why most gold is bought as an alloy.

5. Alloys of Gold
Gold alloys are a mixture of gold particles and other metals, such as copper.
The purity (how many gold atoms is in the alloy) is measured in carats.
The higher the carat, the higher the purity.

6. Match the gold carats to the property of the gold

7. Coins
Copper is too soft to use as a pure metal so it is alloyed with other elements to make it stronger.
Most British coins are made from copper that has been alloyed with other metals.

8. Coins
Copper coins are actually an alloy of three metals. 97% copper, 2.5% zinc and 0.5% tin; therefore copper coins should really be called bronze!

9. Coins
Silver coins are not made from the element silver. They are an alloy of copper (75%) and nickel (25%)

10. Coins
The one pound coin is composed of 70% copper, 5.5% nickel and 24.5% zinc, making this a bronze coin.

11. Hi guys, I’m Kenny. I need some of your expert help!
I’m setting up a new company. We’re going to hand-build high performance sports cars.
Our first model will be the KenSpeed P1.
ENGAGE
© Association for Science Education and Centre for Science Education 2010

12. So what shall I build my cars from
So what shall I build my cars from? They must be fast, strong and lightweight.

13. Here’s an outline of my KenSpeed P1.
Choose the best alloys to make it from.
Give reasons for each choice. Make them persuasive!

14. Properties needed by components of the KenSpeed P1
Body panels...
Malleable and tough
Engine...
Lightweight but not too expensive
Roll cage...
Strong
Exhaust...
Rust-proof
Wiring...
Good electrical conductivity
Material to join wires...
Low melting point
Suspension springs...
Flexible
Brake discs...
Strong, high melting point
Chassis...
Strong, lightweight, not too expensive
Wheels...
Lightweight and strong, must look good
Spoiler...
Strong and stiff

15. The KenSpeed P1 design sheet
SS1
The KenSpeed P1 design sheet
Suspension
Material: ____________________
Reason: ________________________________________
Artist’s impression
Roll cage
Material: ___________
Reason: ______________________________________
Side
Wheels
Material: ____________________
Reason:__________________________________
Brake discs
Material: ____________________
Reason:________________________________
Body panels
Material: ________________
Reason:_______________________________________________________________________
Spoiler (Wing)
Material: ___________________
Reason:____________________________________________________________________
Engine
Material: ___________________
Reason:_____________________________________________________________________
Exhaust
Material: ____________________
Reason:____________________________________________________________________
Internal
Top
Chassis
Material: ___________________________________
Reason:______________________________________________________________________________
Wiring
Material:________________
Reason:___________________________
Wiring connections
Material: _______________
Reason:________________________________________

16. Other alloying elements, if any
Metals and alloys data sheet
SS2
Name of material
Main metal(s)
Other alloying elements, if any
Common uses
Properties
Drawbacks
Copper
copper, Cu
None
Water pipes, electrical cables
Good electrical conductivity, low reactivity
High demand has led to high cost
Lead
lead, Pb
Flashing (to make roofs waterproof)
Very soft and malleable, low reactivity
Poisonous
Titanium
titanium, Ti
aluminium, Al vanadium, V
Racing cars, bicycles, aircraft
Extremely strong for its weight. Tensile strength is about 230 MPa.
Very expensive and difficult to work with
Gold
gold, Au
nickel, Ni copper, Cu
Jewellery, electrical contacts
Very unreactive, shiny, good electrical conductivity
Extremely expensive, very soft in pure form
Brass
copper, Cu zinc, Zn
Musical instruments, door handles, coins
Malleable, good acoustic properties, low reactivity
High cost
Bronze
copper, Cu tin, Sn
Bells and cymbals, sculptures, ship components
Does not corrode in salty water, good acoustic properties
Solder
tin, Sn
silver, Ag
copper, Cu or other metals (lead is no longer used in solder in the EU)
Joining electrical wires, plumbing connections
Low melting point
Low melting point limits uses
Amalgam
mercury, Hg
tin, Sn copper, Cu zinc, Zn
Dentistry – fillings
Easy to work with, resists bacteria
Concerns about health risks from mercury
Nitinol
titanium, Ti nickel, Ni
Spectacle frames, dental braces
When bent, returns to its original shape on gentle heating (shape memory alloy)

17. Which metal is being described? Iron, Copper or Gold?
This metal is too soft and expensive so it is alloyed with copper.

18. Which metal is being described? Iron, Copper or Gold?
This metal is too soft and expensive so it is alloyed with copper.

19. Which metal is being described? Iron, Copper or Gold?
This metal is alloyed with carbon to make it hard, strong and resistant to corrosion.

20. Which metal is being described? Iron, Copper or Gold?
This metal is alloyed with carbon to make it hard, strong and resistant to corrosion.

21. Which metal is being described? Iron, Copper or Gold?
Coins are made from an alloy of this metal.

22. Which metal is being described? Iron, Copper or Gold?
Coins are made from an alloy of this metal.

23. Which metal is being described? Iron, Copper or Gold?
‘Carat’ is used to describe the purity of this metal.

24. Which metal is being described? Iron, Copper or Gold?
‘Carat’ is used to describe the purity of this metal.

25. Which metal is being described? Iron, Copper or Gold?
This is a pure metal that reacts with oxygen and rusts.

26. Which metal is being described? Iron, Copper or Gold?
This is a pure metal that reacts with oxygen and rusts.