Chemistry: Materials
Materials chemistry at 13+ Common Entrance covers the three states of matter (solid, liquid and gas), how particle arrangement and movement explain their properties, and how mixtures can be separated using techniques such as filtration, evaporation and chromatography. It also includes choosing everyday materials based on their properties, such as density, hardness and electrical conductivity.
Method
- Learn the three states of matter and describe the arrangement, movement and spacing of particles in each state.
- Use particle theory to explain properties, such as why gases can be compressed but liquids and solids cannot.
- Learn the correct name for each change of state (melting, freezing, boiling/evaporating, condensing) and which direction each one goes.
- Match separation techniques (filtration, evaporation/crystallisation, distillation, chromatography) to the type of mixture being separated.
- Practise density calculations using density = mass / volume, including finding volume by displacement for irregularly shaped objects.
- When choosing a material for a job, always link the material's property directly to why it suits that specific use.
Worked example
A student has a small metal cube. It has a mass of 54 g and a volume of 20 cm^3. (a) Calculate its density. (b) The density of aluminium is 2.7 g/cm^3. State whether the cube could be made of aluminium.
- Substitute into density = mass / volume: 54 / 20.
- Calculate: 54 / 20 = 2.7 g/cm^3.
- Compare this value with the density of aluminium given, 2.7 g/cm^3.
- Final answer: the density of the cube is 2.7 g/cm^3, so the cube could be made of aluminium, since the densities match.
Practice questions
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Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 13+ Common Entrance exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
A pupil heats a solid substance from -5 degrees C and records its temperature every two minutes: Time (min): 0, 2, 4, 6, 8. Temperature (degrees C): -5, 0, 0, 5, 10. (a) Use the data to state the melting point of the substance. (b) Explain, in terms of energy and particles, why the temperature stays constant between 2 and 4 minutes even though the substance is still being heated.
A technician tests four plastic strips to compare how much they stretch under load, using an identical set-up each time with a strip, a clamp and a set of weights. (a) Name TWO variables that should be kept the same in this investigation to make it a fair test. (b) State the piece of equipment that could be used to measure the length of each strip. (c) Define what is meant by the term 'flexible' when describing a material.
A pupil investigates the rusting of iron nails using three test tubes. Tube 1: nail in dry air only (no water). Tube 2: nail in boiled water with a layer of oil on top to keep air out. Tube 3: nail in water with air present. After one week, the nail in Tube 3 had rusted, but the nails in Tubes 1 and 2 had not. (a) State what this experiment shows is needed for iron to rust. (b) Suggest what would happen to the nail in Tube 3 if a piece of magnesium ribbon were attached to it, and explain why.
Free printable worksheet
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