Uses of metals
Vocabulary
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| aluminium | 铝 | lǚ |
| corrosion | 腐蚀 | fǔ shí |
Choosing the right metal
- From skyscrapers to saucepans, each metal is chosen because its properties fit the job.
- Matching property to use is real-world chemistry.
Explore
Metal use lab
Choose the property that explains each metal use.
Practice
Copper is used for electrical wiring because it is an excellent:
Copper conducts electricity very well.
Practice
Match each metal to a typical use.
Property fits the use.
Property matches use
- Copper: excellent conductor → electrical wiring.
- Aluminium 铝: low density and resists corrosion 腐蚀 → aircraft and drinks cans.
- Iron/steel: strong → buildings, bridges, cars.
The reactivity series helps you choose the right metal for a job
Practice
Aluminium is used in aircraft because it is:
Light and corrosion-resistant — ideal for flight.
Practice
A metal's ______ properties (such as strength and conductivity) decide its uses.
Physical properties match the metal to the job.
Why these choices
- A metal's physical properties decide what it is good for.
- Conductivity, density, strength and corrosion resistance all matter.
Practice
Iron is strong but a drawback is that it rusts.
Rusting is a downside of using iron.
Trade-offs
- Sometimes a property is a downside: iron is strong but rusts; aluminium resists corrosion but is pricier to extract.
- Engineers balance properties, cost and availability.
Example
Worked example. Aircraft are built from aluminium alloys because aluminium has a low density (light, saving fuel) and resists corrosion — exactly what flight demands.
You've got it
Key idea
- metals are chosen because their properties fit the use
- copper → wiring (conductor); aluminium → aircraft/cans (light, corrosion-resistant); iron/steel → structures (strong)
- choices balance properties, cost and availability