Note:
IGCSE Chemistry Notes on Metals 2023/2024/2025/2026/2027/2028
9.1 Properties of metals
Core
- Compare the general physical properties of
metals and non-metals, including:
(a) thermal conductivity
(b) electrical conductivity
(c) malleability and ductility
(d) melting points and boiling points
- Describe the general chemical properties of
metals, limited to their reactions with:
(a) dilute acids
(b) cold water and steam
(c) oxygen
Supplement
9.2 Uses of metals
Core
- Describe the uses of metals in terms of their
physical properties, including:
(a) aluminium in the manufacture of aircraft
because of its low density
(b) aluminium in the manufacture of overhead
electrical cables because of its low density
and good electrical conductivity
(c) aluminium in food containers because of its
resistance to corrosion
(d) copper in electrical wiring because of its
good electrical conductivity and ductility
9.3 Alloys and their properties
Core
- Describe an alloy as a mixture of a metal with
other elements, including:
(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
- State that alloys can be harder and stronger
than the pure metals and are more useful
- Describe the uses of alloys in terms of their
physical properties, including stainless steel in
cutlery because of its hardness and resistance
to rusting
- Identify representations of alloys from diagrams
of structure
Supplement
- Explain in terms of structure how alloys can
be harder and stronger than the pure metals
because the different sized atoms in alloys
mean the layers can no longer slide over each
other
9.4 Reactivity series
Core
- State the order of the reactivity series as:
potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium,
aluminium, carbon, zinc, iron, hydrogen,
copper, silver, gold
- Describe the reactions, if any, of:
(a) potassium, sodium and calcium with
cold water
(b) magnesium with steam
(c) magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, silver and
gold with dilute hydrochloric acid
and explain these reactions in terms of the
position of the metals in the reactivity series
- Deduce an order of reactivity from a given set
of experimental results
Supplement
- Describe the 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
- Explain the apparent unreactivity of aluminium
in terms of its oxide layer
9.5 Corrosion of metals
Core
- State the conditions required for the rusting of
iron and steel to form hydrated iron(III) oxide
- State some common barrier methods, including
painting, greasing and coating with plastic
- Describe how barrier methods prevent rusting
by excluding oxygen or water
Supplement
- Describe the use of zinc in galvanising as an
example of a barrier method and sacrificial
protection
5 Explain sacrificial protection in terms of the
reactivity series and in terms of electron loss
9.6 Extraction of metals
Core
- Describe the ease in obtaining metals from their
ores, related to the position of the metal in the
reactivity series
- Describe the extraction of iron from hematite in
the blast furnace, limited to:
(a) the burning of carbon (coke) to provide heat
and produce carbon dioxide
(b) the reduction of carbon dioxide to carbon
monoxide
(c) the reduction of iron(III) oxide by carbon
monoxide
(d) the thermal decomposition of calcium
carbonate/limestone to produce calcium
oxide
(e) the formation of slag
Symbol equations are not required
3 State that the main ore of aluminium is bauxite
and that aluminium is extracted by electrolysis
- State the symbol equations for the extraction of
iron from hematite
- Describe the extraction of aluminium from
purified bauxite/aluminium oxide, including:
(a) the role of cryolite
(b) why the carbon anodes need to be
regularly replaced
(c) the reactions at the electrodes, including
ionic half-equations
Details of the purification of bauxite are not
required
Happy Learning,
Team,
Smart Exam Resources