Queensway Secondary School

4E Science (Chemistry) Assignment 8

Name : ( ) Mark : / 70

Class : Date : / / 2020

Topic 8: Metals Time Required: 90 minutes

Section A: Basic/Conceptual Questions

A1 (a) Explain why alloys are stronger and harder than pure metals. You may
use diagrams to aid your answer.
The different sizes of the metal particles disrupts the regular arrangement
of particles in a pure metal. [1] This makes the alloy harder and stronger
as layers of metal particles are not displaced as easily as compared with
a pure metal. [1]

(b) (i) Name an alloy which is made mainly from iron and carbon
Steel [1]
(ii) State one important use of this alloy.
Any correct use [1]

A2 Ag, Al, Cu, Fe, H, K, Mg, Zn are the symbols of elements appearing in the
reactivity series.

(a) Arrange the metals in ascending order of reactivity.

Ag, Cu, H, Fe, Zn, (Al), Mg, K [1]

(b) Which metals will not displace hydrogen from dilute acids?
Ag and Cu [1]

(c) Which metal is most likely found uncombined in nature?

Ag [1]

(d) Explain why even though aluminium is a reactive metal, it shows little
chemical reaction with dilute acids or steam.
When aluminium is exposed to air, a layer of aluminium oxide forms over
the metal. [1]
This layer of aluminium oxide prevents the aluminium metal from reacting
with dilute acids or steam. [1]

(e) Name a metal from the series above which is more reactive than iron and
can react with steam, but not with cold water.
Zinc [1]
No marks if chemical symbol is given.

(f) Name two metals from the series above that can be extracted by heating
their oxides with carbon.
Zinc, iron, copper, silver [1]
Any two.
A3 The table below shows the reaction of various metals with water.

Metal Reaction with water Reaction with steam

A No reaction Moderate
B Moderate Vigorous
C Slow Vigorous
D Violent Explosive

(a) Arrange the metals in descending order of reactivity.

D, B, C, A [1]

(b) Which of the metals would displace metal D from a solution of its salts?
None [1]

(c) Which of the metals could be used as a protective coating for other
metals?
A [1]

A4 Explain each of the following phenomena:

(a) A fungicide made of copper(II) sulfate solution should not be stored in a

mild steel can.
The iron in the mild steel can will displace copper from the solution of
copper(II) ions (in copper(II) sulfate solution). [1]

This will reduce the effectiveness of the fungicide and damage the steel
can. [1]

[R]: “steel displaces copper from a solution of copper(II) ions”

(b) Tools are seldom made of pure metals. Rather, they are often made from
alloys.
Pure metals are very soft due to the regular arrangement of particles in
the metal structure. [1]

Alloys are much harder due to the differing sizes of the particles, making
them suitable for use as tools. [1]

A5 The diagram below shows the Blast Furnace which is used to extract iron.
(a) Name

(i) the raw material A;

Limestone [1]

(ii) the iron ore used.

Haematite [1]

(b) Explain why A is added to the blast furnace.

To remove the acidic impurities (silicon dioxide, SiO2) generated by the
production of iron. [1]

(c) (i) Name the gaseous reducing agent in the furnace.

Carbon monoxide [1]

(ii) Explain how this reducing agent is produced in the furnace. Write
equations to show the reactions involved.
Coke (carbon) reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide.

C + O2 → CO2

Carbon dioxide then reacts with more coke (carbon) to form carbon
monoxide.

CO2 + C → 2CO
(Many did NOT balance CO in this equation)

[1] for each pair of statements and equations.

(iii) Explain why this substance is classified as a “reducing agent”.

It caused the oxidation state of iron to decrease from +3 in Fe2O3 to
0 in Fe. [1]

Learn to use oxidation states. We are very weak in this.

(iv) Write an equation showing the reaction between the gaseous

reducing agent and the iron ore.
Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2 [1]

(d) Suggest why the molten iron extracted will not be oxidised back to its
oxides by the hot air blasted in from the bottom of the furnace.
The hot air which is blasted in rises up the furnace and does not come into
contact with the molten iron at the bottom of the furnace. [1]

(e) Scrap iron can be recycled by adding it to the molten iron after it leaves
the blast furnace. Give one reason, other than cost, why scrap iron is
recycled.
The world’s store of iron ore is finite and will one day run out. Recycling
helps to preserve our stores for a longer duration.

It will require less energy to recycle metals (e.g. scrap ion) than to extract
iron from its ore. This energy for mining is normally generated from the
 burning of fossil fuels, which is non-renewable (finite), and results in global
warming & the release of pollutants (e.g. CO and sulfur dioxide) into the
atmosphere.

If scrap iron is not recycled, it would likely be disposed of in landfills. This

will take up increasing quantities of landfill space. It is a more efficient use
of (landfill) space to instead recycle this scrap iron.

(f) Iron from the Blast Furnace is used for making steel to build bridges. Some
bridges have blocks of magnesium attached to them. Explain why.
Magnesium is a metal used for sacrificial protection of the iron. [1]

With the magnesium attached to the iron, the magnesium will corrode first
before the iron corrodes. [1]

(g) What factor, other than cost, determines which method of reduction will be
used to extract a particular metal?
Reactivity of the metal. [1]

(h) Explain why aluminium cannot be extracted from its ore by the same
chemical reduction method as iron.
Iron is below carbon in the reactivity series; hence, iron can be extracted
from its ore by reduction using carbon. [1]

However, aluminium is above carbon in the reactivity series; hence,

aluminium cannot be extracted from its ore by reduction using carbon.
More energy is needed to extract aluminium, using electrolysis. [1]

Typical O Level question. We are dreadfully poor in these explanations.

Please get this right!
Section B: Application/Other Schools’/O Level Style Questions

B1 Element X occurs naturally as the uncombined metal. Element Y is obtained

by heating its oxide with carbon. Element Z is obtained by electrolysing its
molten chloride.

What is the order of reactivity of X, Y and Z?

Most reactive → least reactive

A X Y Z
B Y Z X
C Y X Z
D Z Y X
( D )

Reason Since element X occurs uncombined, it must have the lowest

reactivity. Element Y must be below carbon in the reactivity series (hence,
extracted by reduction using carbon), whilst Element Z must be above carbon
in the reactivity series (as it was extracted by electrolysis). X is hence the least
reactive, and Z the most reactive, with Y in the middle. [1]

B2 Which of the following reactions is likely to take place?

A Ca2+ (aq) + Fe (s) → Fe2+ (aq) + Ca (s)

B Cu2+ (aq) + Mg (s) → Mg2+ (aq) + Cu (s)
C Fe2+ (aq) + Cu (s) → Fe (s) + Cu2+ (aq)
D 2H+ (aq) + Ag (s) → Ag+ (s) + H2 (g)
( B )

Reason
In B, magnesium (metal) is more reactive than copper (metal). Magnesium
metal is thus able to displace copper from a solution of copper(II) ions.

In A, iron metal is unable to displace calcium from a solution of calcium ions,

as iron is less reactive than calcium.

In C, copper metal is unable to displace iron from a solution of iron(II) ions,

as copper is less reactive than iron.

In D, silver metal does not react with acids (which produces H + ions in
aqueous solution). This is as silver is below hydrogen in the reactivity series.
[1]

Really poorly done. Worrying problem: unable to distinguish between

magnesium metal (Mg, solid state) and magnesium ions (Mg2+, aqueous
state).
B3 Which of the following equations represents the removal of impurities in the
blast furnace?

A CaO + SiO2 → CaSiO3

B Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2
C CaCO3 → CaO + CO2
D C + CO2 → 2CO
( A )

B4 Metal M is placed between sodium and magnesium in the reactivity series.

Which statement about metal M is correct?

A It displaces sodium from aqueous sodium chloride.

B It does not react with dilute acids at room temperature.
C It is extracted from its oxide by heating with carbon.
D It reacts with cold water.
( D )

B5 Which of the following statements describes the reaction between magnesium

and a dilute solution of copper(II) sulfate correctly?

A A white precipitate of magnesium sulfate will be formed.

B The light blue solution will turn brown.
C The magnesium ions will displace the copper(II) ions.
D The reaction is a redox reaction.
( D )

Reason magnesium (Mg) displaces copper ions (Cu2+) from solution, forming
magnesium ions (Mg2+) and copper metal (Cu). Magnesium is oxidised to form
magnesium ions (Mg2+), as the oxidation state of magnesium increases from
0 (in Mg) to +2 (in Mg2+). At the same time, copper is reduced as the oxidation
state of copper decreases from +2 (in Cu2+) to 0 (in Cu). Both oxidation and
reduction occur in this reaction, making the reaction redox. [1]

B6 (a) When manufacturing iron, limestone and air are added to a blast
furnace.

(i) Name two other raw materials that need to be added.

Coke and haematite [1]

Do not accept carbon and iron(III) oxides. These are the actual
chemicals.

(ii) Explain why limestone is essential in the manufacture of iron

using a blast furnace.
It decomposes under strong heating to form calcium oxide, a
basic oxide. [1]
The calcium oxide then reacts with acidic impurities and removes
them from the ore. [1]
 (b) Zinc metal can be manufactured in a similar process as iron.

Zinc ore such as sphalerite, which contains zinc sulphide, ZnS, is first
heated with oxygen gas, O2, in air to produce zinc oxide, ZnO, and sulfur
dioxide gas, SO2.

(i) Describe chemical tests to show the presence of oxygen and

sulfur dioxide.

Oxygen gas: place a glowing splint near the gas (or the mouth of
the test-tube, if a test-tube is used). If oxygen gas is present, the
glowing splint will re-light. [1]

Sulfur dioxide gas: bubble the gas into purple acidified potassium
manganate(VII), it will decolourise (i.e. turn from purple to
colourless), indicating that sulfur dioxide gas is present. [1]
[R]: testing using moist blue litmus paper. There are many
different acidic gases apart from sulfur dioxide!!!

(ii) Write a balanced chemical equation for the heating of zinc sulfide.
Include state symbols.
2ZnS (s) + 3O2 (g) → 2ZnO (s) + 2SO2 (g) [2]

Correct chemical species and balancing – [1]

Correct state symbols – [1]

(iii) Calculate the mass of zinc oxide that will be formed, at room
temperature and pressure, when 72 dm3 of oxygen gas is reacted
with excess sphalerite.
72
No of moles of oxygen gas =
24
= 3 mol [1]

No of moles of zinc oxide = 2 mol [1]

Mass of zinc oxide = 2 X (65 + 16)

= 162 g [1]

B8 The uses of aluminium are determined by its properties.

(a)

State two advantages when overhead electrical power cables are made
of aluminium surrounding a steel core.
Power cables are soft and are able to bend (especially on hot days). [1]
Covering the steel core with aluminium prevents the core from rusting
even after constant exposure to rain. [1]
(b) An alloy of aluminium called duralumin is often used instead of pure
aluminium because of its improved properties. Duralumin is often used
in the construction of aircrafts.

(i) Name one physical property of duralumin.

Hard [1]

(ii) Explain why duralumin has different physical properties from

aluminium.
Alloys have different physical properties from their constituent
elements. [1]

(c) Two similar aluminium strips were dipped into a beaker of sulfuric acid
of the same concentration. Only one of the aluminium strips is cleaned
with sandpaper.

aluminium strip
cleaned with
sandpaper

(i) Describe what you would expect to see in each experiment.

Explain why the two strips behave differently.
In both experiments, a colourless, odourless gas will be evolved.
[1]

However, the gas will be evolved immediately in experiment II,

but the gas will only be evolved some time after the strip is dipped
for experiment I. [1]

Aluminium strips have a layer of oxide on the surface which

prevents immediate reaction between the aluminium and the acid.
[1]

(ii) Aluminium is said to be oxidised in Experiment II.

Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between

aluminium and sulfuric acid; and explain, in terms of oxidation
state, why aluminium is said to be oxidised in the reaction.
2Al + 3H2SO4 → Al2(SO4)3 + 3H2 [1]

The oxidation state of aluminium increases from 0 in Al to +3 in

Al2(SO4)3. [1]

We are bad at calculating oxidation states. Many thought

oxidation state of aluminium was +6 (or even +2 – why?!) in
Al2(SO4)3..
B9 Some students investigated displacement reactions involving three different
metals and solutions of their salts. This equation represents one of these
reactions:

Zn (s) + CuSO4 (aq) → ZnSO4 (aq) + Cu (s)

This reaction occurs because zinc is more reactive than copper. When a
displacement reaction occurs, there is a temperature rise. This bigger the
difference in reactivity between the two metals, the bigger the temperature
rise.

(a) State the term used to describe reactions with a temperature rise.
Exothermic [1]

(b) The students carried out the following steps:

1. Pour some metal salt solution into a beaker and place a

thermometer in the beaker.
2. Record the initial temperature.
3. Add some of the metal and stir the mixture.
4. Record the maximum temperature.

(i) State two variables that the students should keep constant to
ensure that the experiment was fair.

1 volume of metal salt solution [1]

2 mass of metal [1]

[R]: “amount”.
 (ii) The diagrams show the initial and maximum thermometer
readings of one of the experiments.

Record the temperatures and calculate the temperature rise in

this experiment.

Initial temperature/oC 18.7

Maximum temperature/oC 26.8
Temperature rise/oC 8.1
[3]

(c) Each displacement experiment was repeated twice. The table shows the
average temperature rise obtained.

Metal salt solution Average

Metal added
used temperature rise/oC
X 8.3
CuSO4
Zn 12.2
Cu 0.0
XSO4
Zn 2.7
Cu 0.0
ZnSO4
X 0.0

(i) Using these results, list the metals in order of decreasing

reactivity.

most reactive least reactive

Zn, X, Cu [1]

(ii) Write an ionic equation for the reaction with a temperature rise of
2.7 oC.
Zn (s) + X2+ (aq) → X (s) + Zn2+ (aq) [1]
(d) Suggest two reasons why the students did not use calcium metal in their
experiments.
Calcium is a very reactive metal and the increase in temperature may be
too large. [1]
Calcium will react to form a layer of calcium sulfate on the surface of the
metal, which is an insoluble solid, stopping the reaction immediately. [1]