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Questions and Answers
Which category of metals does not contain iron?
What property of metals allows them to be easily shaped when heated?
Metals with high densities are commonly used in making which of the following?
Which type of metal is primarily used for jewelry making?
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What is the main advantage of combining metals into alloys?
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What is an alloy?
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Which metal extraction process involves dissolving minerals out of rocks using acidic liquids?
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What is the primary component in steel alloy?
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Which of the following is NOT an industrial application of metals?
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What is one of the main processes involved in extracting most metals from their ores?
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Study Notes
Metals have been part of human history for thousands of years due to their versatility, durability, and strength. They serve many purposes ranging from being used in construction and manufacturing to serving important roles in electronics and technology. Here's some information about metals, including different types, properties, how they can be combined into alloys, methods of extraction, and common uses.
Types of Metals
Metal is classified into several categories: ferrous metals (which contain iron), nonferrous metals (without iron), precious metals (used mainly for jewelry such as gold and silver), rare earth metals, and base metals. Aluminum, copper, lead, nickel, titanium, tin, zinc, magnesium, mercury, cadmium, bismuth, antimony, thallium, gallium, arsenic, selenium, telluride, indium, polonium, uranium, neptunium, radium, and actinides are considered heavy metals.
Properties of Metals
The most distinct property of metal is its malleability - it can easily be shaped when heated, hammered, stretched, pulled apart, or otherwise manipulated without destroying its structure. Other properties of metals include conductivity, which means they transmit heat quickly, and ductility, meaning they can be bent without breaking like aluminum foil. Metals also have high densities which make them useful in making cables, wires, pipes, sheets, plates, bars, rods, tubes, gears, chains, nuts, bolts, screws, washers, nails, etc.
Alloying Metal Compounds
An alloy is made by mixing two or more elements together so that each element in the mixture influences the characteristics of other elements present. For instance, brass is an alloy composed of copper and zinc; steel is an alloy primarily consisting of iron with traces of carbon, chromium, tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, cobalt, boron, silicon, and manganese; bronze consists of copper with small amounts of tin.
Extraction Process
Most metals are extracted using one of three main processes: mining, leaching or electrolysis. Mining involves digging up ore deposits from large pits in the ground while leaching involves dissolving minerals out of rocks using acidic liquids. Electrolysis separates metals chemically from various compounds found within a natural source material by applying electricity through it.
Applications of Metals
Some of the most popular industrial uses for metals include electric motors, generators, batteries, computers, cars, ships, trains, airplanes, tractors, refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, cooking ranges, ovens, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, snow blowers, power tools, sewing machines, telephones, televisions, cameras, video recorders, stereos, radios, amplifiers, speakers, tape decks, CD players, DVD players, VHS players, fax machines, copiers, printers, scanners, pagers, cell phones, calculators, watches, clocks, alarm clocks, timepieces, wristwatches, compasses, mirrors, telescopes, microscopes, binoculars, magnifying glasses, costume jewelry, fine art, sculptures, coinage, medals, trophies, awards, commemoratives, plaques, badges, etchings, engravings, gravestones, tombstones, memorial stones, headboards, footboards, trunk lids, hinge caps, locks, latches, springs, bumpers, shock absorbers, brakes, spark plugs, pistons, bearings, bushings, connectors, switches, relays, transformers, radiators, condenser shells, heater coils, evaporator coils, compressor casings, crankcases, cylinder heads, valve covers, rocker arms, pushrods, camshafts, flywheels, transmissions, suspensions, steering mechanisms, racks & pinions, gear boxes, pulleys, winches, ratchets, turnbuckles, jacks & lifts, drills, saws, grinders, sanders, files, planers, trimmers, routers, slotting machines, presses, shears, stamping machines, rolling mills, wire drawing machinery, cold heading equipment, hot forming apparatus, forging furnaces, sintering kilns, chemical processing plants, water purification systems, waste treatment facilities, air pollution control devices, soil stabilization units, road paving equipment, airport runway maintenance vehicles, bridges, tunnels, dams, pipelines, building structures, roofs, walls, floors, ceilings, windows, doors, cabinets, furniture, appliances, toys, games, sports & recreation items, clothing, textiles, linens, draperies, curtains, blinds, rugs, carpets, floor coverings, upholsteries, bedding materials, luggage, travel goods, handbags, purses, wallets, briefcases, cases, boxes, containers, jugs, barrels, tanks, vats, vessels, receptacles, drums, canisters, flasks, crucibles, beakers, test tubes, Petri dishes, mortar & pestles, utensils, cookware, flatware, cutlery, tableware, kitchenware, bath ware, sink fixtures, toiletry accessories, medical instruments, surgical implements, orthopedic prostheses, dentistry supplies, veterinary implants, scientific laboratory equipment, optical measuring devices, aerospace hardware & components, automotive parts, marine equipment, railway equipment, military hardware, electronic communications apparatus, electrical transmission lines, energy conversion systems, electromagnetic radiation detectors, nuclear reactors.
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Description
Learn about different types of metals, their properties, how they can be combined into alloys, methods of extraction, and common industrial uses. Discover the classifications of ferrous metals, nonferrous metals, precious metals, rare earth metals, and base metals, along with their unique properties and applications.
