Uses Of Metals - Gold, Copper, Aluminium, Steel | Properties of Matter | Chemistry | FuseSchool

Summary

This video explores the diverse uses of metals, highlighting their properties based on atomic structure and position in the periodic table. It discusses unreactive metals like gold and silver, valued for their durability in jewelry, as well as copper, which is utilized in plumbing due to its malleability and conductivity. Aluminum's protective oxide layer and lightness make it ideal for aerospace applications, while steel, created by combining iron with carbon, revolutionized construction. Overall, the video emphasizes how various metals serve unique purposes based on their distinct characteristics.

Takeaways

• 😀 The periodic table contains 91 pure metals, each with unique properties determined by their atomic structure.
• 🤔 Unreactive metals like gold and silver are valuable due to their resistance to air and water, making them ideal for jewelry.
• 💧 Copper is an unreactive metal that has historically been used for water pipes due to its low reactivity with water.
• ⚡ Copper is also a good conductor of electricity and can be drawn into wires, making it useful for electrical applications.
• ✈️ Aluminum reacts with oxygen to form a protective oxide layer, making it suitable for airplane and train bodies without needing paint.
• 📉 Aluminum is lightweight and can be alloyed to enhance strength, which is beneficial for aerospace applications.
• 🏗️ Steel, made from iron and carbon, is strong and inexpensive, revolutionizing construction and manufacturing since the 19th century.
• 🔩 Iron is weak on its own but becomes much stronger when combined with carbon to create steel.
• 🌍 The replacement of iron with steel in construction has enabled the building of larger, more durable structures like bridges.
• 📊 Different metals have varying properties, allowing for diverse applications in jewelry, construction, and electrical systems.

Q & A

How many pure metals are in the periodic table of elements?

There are 91 pure metals in the periodic table of elements.

What determines the properties of metals?

The properties of metals are determined by their atomic structure and their position in the periodic table.

Why are gold and silver considered valuable metals?

Gold and silver are valuable metals primarily because they are unreactive, meaning they do not react with air or water, which allows them to remain shiny and untarnished.

What is a common use for copper due to its low reactivity?

Copper is commonly used for the construction of water pipes because it does not react with water.

What properties make copper suitable for electrical applications?

Copper is a good conductor of electricity and is ductile, meaning it can be drawn into long wires, making it ideal for carrying electricity.

How does aluminum protect itself when exposed to air?

Aluminum reacts with oxygen in the air to form a layer of aluminum oxide, which is strong and protects the main body of the metal.

What advantages does aluminum have in the aerospace industry?

Aluminum is lightweight and can be made stronger when formed into alloys, making it ideal for use in the bodies of planes.

What is the significance of steel in construction?

Steel, formed by combining iron with carbon, is significantly stronger and cheaper to make than iron alone, allowing for the construction of large, durable structures like bridges.

Why was the replacement of iron by steel important in the 19th century?

The replacement of iron by steel revolutionized industry and construction, enabling the building of larger and more robust constructions that last longer.

What are some different uses of metals based on their properties?

Metals have varied uses such as unreactive metals for jewelry and piping, lightweight metals for aerospace applications, and conductive metals for electrical wiring.