IGCSE · Practice questions · Uses of metals

Property, then use.

Six original Cambridge-style questions on the uses of metals and the properties that explain them.

Original questions All questions on this page are original work, written in the Cambridge IGCSE style. They are not from past papers. They test the same concepts and skills the syllabus rewards.

Keep these straight

Match property to use.

Aircraft: aluminium, low density, strong alloys.
Overhead cables: aluminium, low density, conducts.
Food containers: aluminium, resists corrosion.
Wiring: copper, conducts, ductile.

Recall

[2 marks]

Give two properties of aluminium that make it suitable for making aircraft.

Low density. ✓
Strong (as an alloy) and resistant to corrosion. ✓

Recall

[2 marks]

Give two properties of copper that make it suitable for electrical wiring.

Good conductor of electricity. ✓
Ductile (can be drawn into wires). ✓

Explain

[2 marks]

Explain why aluminium food containers do not corrode, even though aluminium is a reactive metal.

Aluminium reacts with oxygen to form a thin layer of aluminium oxide on its surface. ✓
This layer is unreactive and stops air and water reaching the metal underneath. ✓

Analysis

[3 marks]

Copper is a better conductor than aluminium, but aluminium is used for overhead cables. Use the data (density: aluminium 2.7 g/cm³, copper 8.9 g/cm³) to explain why.

Aluminium is much less dense than copper (about one third). ✓
So an aluminium cable is much lighter, and fewer, cheaper pylons are needed. ✓
Aluminium is still a good enough conductor for the job. ✓

Explain

[2 marks]

Suggest why iron is not used for overhead power cables.

Iron has a high density, so the cables would be very heavy. ✓
Iron rusts, and it is a poorer conductor than aluminium. ✓

Recall

[1 marks]

State one use of aluminium other than aircraft and power cables.

Food containers, drinks cans, cooking foil or window frames. ✓

Mark this once you have attempted all six and checked your working. It records a Practiced badge on the topic and adds a one-time bonus. Revealing the solutions alone does not count.