Using Materials (AQA GCSE Chemistry): Exam Questions

Figure 1 shows six test tubes a student set up to investigate the rusting of iron. The student followed the method below for each test tube.

1. Use a balance to determine the mass of the nail.

2. Leave the nail undisturbed in the test tube for 6 days.

3. After the 6 days have passed remove the nail and measure its mass.

Figure 1

Give the two conditions needed for iron to rust. 

Table 1 shows the student’s results.

Table 1

What is the resolution of the balance the student used? 

The nails in test tubes 1 and 5 have shown an increase in mass.

Calculate the difference in percentage increase in mass of these nails.

Give your answer to three significant figures.

Draw conclusions about the factors that affect the rusting of iron using the students' results.

Include an evaluation of how effective the different coatings are at preventing the rusting of iron.

Hydrated iron(III) oxide is the compound which is called rust.

Complete the word equation for the reaction.

__________  +  __________   +   __________   →   hydrated iron(III) oxide

Describe the process of sacrificial protection and explain how it can prevent a piece of iron from rusting.

Which of these is not a raw material for making soda-lime glass?

This question is about different metals and alloys.

Compare the structure of an alloy to a pure metal and explain how an alloy’s structure makes them so strong.

Nitinol is an alloy used in dental braces as it can return to its original shape after being deformed.

Titanium alloys and stainless steel can also be used to make dental braces.

Suggest two factors that need to be considered when choosing a material.

Suggest two reasons why coins are not made of pure copper.

Name the metals used in the following alloys:

i) Bronze

[2 marks]

ii) Brass

[2 marks]

PEX is a material made from poly(ethene) and is used as an alternative to copper for hot water pipes.

PEX is made from poly(ethene).

Suggest a property of PEX that makes it suitable for this use.

Poly(ethene) and PEX are shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1

Poly(ethene) is a thermoplastic that can be softened by heating.

Suggest and explain how the structure of PEX changes this property.

Banks store coins in low density poly(ethene) bags.

High density poly(ethene) can be made from the same monomer as the low density polymer.

Give one change to the same polymerisation reaction that can be used to produce two different products.

Give the names of the components used to make a composite explain why composites have so many different uses.

Which substance could the structure shown belong to?

Which of these is not a composite material?

Some drill heads contain steel. These can be used to drill for crude oil.

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. 

Explain why steel is harder than pure iron.

Diamonds are also used in drills because they are hard.

Explain why diamond is hard.

Polymers are made from crude oil. 

Describe the structure and bonding of a thermosetting polymer and explain why thermosetting polymers do not melt when heated.

This question is about polymers.

Poly(ethene) is produced from the monomer ethene.

Draw the repeating unit for poly(ethene).

Ethene is made from cracking.

Describe how ethene is produced by catalytic cracking.

Low density poly(ethene) is a thermosoftening polymer.

Thermosetting polymers can be used as saucepan handles.

Explain why thermosoftening polymers, such as poly(ethene) should not be used as saucepan handles.

You should refer to the structure and bonding of a thermosoftening polymer in your answer.

Low density poly(ethene) and high density poly(ethene) are made from the same monomer but have different properties 

Explain why.

This question is about corrosion and alloys.

Explain why aluminium bike frames do not corrode. 

A student was investigating the conditions needed for iron to rust.

They used the following method:

1. Set up test tubes with the conditions shown in Figure 1

2. Leave for two weeks

3. Examine nails for evidence of rust

The results are shown in Figure 1. 

Figure 1 

Explain the observations the student would make about the nails after two weeks.

Steel balconies are often coated in zinc.

Explain how this prevents the steel from rusting.

Iron is used to form different types of steels depending on what they are used for.

Explain how different types of steel are made. 

This question is about different materials.

Two types of glass are:

• soda lime glass

• borosilicate glass

Name two materials used to make borosilicate glass. 

Milk bottles can be made from plastic or glass.

Figure 1 shows the percentage of bottles that were made from glass from 1975 to 2010.

Figure 1

Using Figure 1, plot the data, including a line of best fit, for the percentage of bottles not made from glass. 

Table 1 gives information about glass and plastic milk bottles. 

Table 1 

Evaluate the production and use of plastic bottles and glass bottles. 

Draw the monomer used to make poly(ethene). 

This question is about different materials.

Compare the properties and uses of low carbon steel, high carbon steel and stainless steel. 

Why can concrete be described as a composite?

Explain how clay can be used to make a ceramic vase.