Alloys and their properties
9.3What the syllabus asks of you
- 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
- Explain in terms of structure how alloys can be harder and stronger than the pure metals because the different sized atoms or ions in alloys mean the layers can no longer slide over each other
- 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
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Chapter 9: Alloys and their properties
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19 questions
1May / June 2026 · Paper 12 · Q26Show mark scheme →
ABrass is a mixture of copper and tin.
BCutlery made of stainless steel contains iron and does not rust easily.
CIn pure metals, the negative ions are all the same size.
DThe hardness of iron is decreased by forming an alloy with chromium, nickel and carbon.
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2Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 11 · Q25Show mark scheme →
ABr and As
BCu and Sn
CCu and Zn
DSn and Zn
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3May / June 2025 · Paper 11 · Q26Show mark scheme →
AIt is a compound.
BIt is an alloy.
CIt is an isomer.
DIt is an isotope.
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4May / June 2024 · Paper 11 · Q29Show mark scheme →
AAlloys are not electrical or thermal conductors.
BAlloys are softer than pure metals because the layers in the alloy slip over each other more easily.
CBrass is a mixture of copper with small amounts of chromium, nickel and carbon.
DThe percentage of each metal in an alloy may vary.
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5Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 11 · Q26Show mark scheme →
Adiagram A
Bdiagram B
Cdiagram C
Ddiagram D
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6Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 12 · Q26Show mark scheme →
Adiagram A
Bdiagram B
Cdiagram C
Ddiagram D
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7May / June 2023 · Paper 11 · Q26Show mark scheme →
Acopper and chromium
Bcopper and nickel
Cnickel and carbon
Dzinc and carbon
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8May / June 2023 · Paper 12 · Q30Show mark scheme →
AThey are compounds of two or more metals.
BThey are mixtures of metals with other metals or non-metals.
CThey conduct electricity because they have ionic bonds between the metal atoms.
DThey have identical physical properties to the metals they contain.
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9May / June 2020 · Paper 11 · Q26Show mark scheme →
Adiagram A
Bdiagram B
Cdiagram C
Ddiagram D
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10May / June 2020 · Paper 12 · Q26Show mark scheme →
Adiagram A
Bdiagram B
Cdiagram C
Ddiagram D
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11Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 11 · Q26Show mark scheme →
Aan alloy / conductor
Ban alloy / insulator
Ca compound / conductor
Da compound / insulator
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12Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 11 · Q30Show mark scheme →
Acalcium
Bcopper
Ciron
Dzinc
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13Oct / Nov 2018 · Paper 12 · Q27Also set in Oct / Nov 2018 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AAlloys can only be formed by mixing copper or iron with other metals.
BHigh carbon steel alloys are soft and easily shaped.
CIn an alloy there is attraction between positive ions and a ‘sea of electrons’.
DThe alloy brass has a chemical formula.
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14May / June 2018 · Paper 12 · Q29Also set in May / June 2018 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
AIt contains a sea of electrons.
BIt contains positive and negative ions which are free to move.
CIt is a compound of a metal and a non-metal.
DIt is a compound of two or more metals.
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15May / June 2017 · Paper 12 · Q27Show mark scheme →
Aless / unable
Bless / able
Cmore / unable
Dmore / able
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16Oct / Nov 2016 · Paper 12 · Q5Also set in Oct / Nov 2016 Paper 11Show mark scheme →
Aabove that of tin.
Bbelow that of lead.
Cbelow that of both tin and lead.
Dbetween that of tin and lead.
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17May / June 2016 · Paper 11 · Q20Show mark scheme →
Ahigh carbon steels: stronger; low carbon steels: more brittle
Bhigh carbon steels: stronger; low carbon steels: more easily shaped
Chigh carbon steels: weaker; low carbon steels: more brittle
Dhigh carbon steels: weaker; low carbon steels: more easily shaped
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18May / June 2016 · Paper 11 · Q31Show mark scheme →
AThe zinc atoms form strong covalent bonds with copper atoms.
BThe zinc atoms prevent layers of copper atoms from sliding over each other easily.
CThe zinc atoms prevent the 'sea of electrons' from moving freely in the solid.
DZinc atoms have more electrons than copper atoms.
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19May / June 2016 · Paper 12 · Q22Show mark scheme →
AThe zinc atoms form strong covalent bonds with the copper atoms.
BThe zinc atoms prevent layers of copper atoms from sliding over each other easily.
CThe zinc atoms prevent the ‘sea of electrons’ from moving freely in the solid.
DThe zinc atoms have more electrons than the copper atoms.
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