Question 1: Define an alloy in your own words.

Answer: An alloy is a mixture of two or more metals or a metal with other elements, fused together to enhance properties like strength, durability, or corrosion resistance.

Question 2: Explain how metallic bonding allows metals to be mixed and form alloys.

Answer: Metallic bonding involves a 'sea of delocalized electrons' around metal cations, allowing atoms of different metals to slide past each other and form uniform mixtures called alloys.

Question 3: Name two common alloys and describe one key property that makes each useful.

Answer: Steel, which is an alloy of iron and carbon, is very strong and durable; Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, is corrosion-resistant and has a bright gold-like appearance.

Question 4: What is the main advantage of using alloys over pure metals?

Answer: Alloys typically have improved mechanical properties, such as increased strength, hardness, and resistance to corrosion, compared to pure metals.

Question 5: Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT an alloy?

Answer: Pure Aluminum

Question 6: Fill in the blank: An alloy is typically created by melting metals together and then ______ to form a solid mixture.

Answer: cooling

Question 7: Describe a simple experiment to compare the corrosion resistance of pure iron versus stainless steel.

Answer: You could expose equal samples of pure iron and stainless steel to a corrosive environment such as saltwater for a set period, then observe and compare the extent of rusting or deterioration. Record observations noting that stainless steel typically shows less corrosion due to its alloying elements like chromium.

Question 8: Identify the variables in an experiment testing the strength of different alloys.

Answer: Independent variable: type of alloy tested; Dependent variable: strength of the alloy (e.g., load it can support); Controlled variables: temperature, sample size, testing method.

Question 9: Data Analysis: A sample of alloy A withstands a force of 500 N before deforming, while alloy B withstands 700 N. What does this suggest about the relative strength of these alloys?

Answer: It suggests that alloy B is stronger than alloy A because it can withstand a greater force before deforming.

Question 10: Explain why alloys are often used in the construction of bridges and buildings.

Answer: Alloys are used because they can be engineered to have higher strength, better durability, and resistance to corrosion compared to pure metals. This makes them ideal for supporting heavy loads and withstanding environmental conditions over long periods.