Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Notes | Topic 5

  • Transition metals: high melting point, dense, form coloured compounds, good catalysts e.g. iron
  • Corrosion: metals get oxidised.
  • To prevent rusting of iron:
    • Exclusion of oxygen and water: use paint, oil/ grease, plastic
    • Sacrificial protection: galvanise using a more reactive metal, which will rust first and prevent water and oxygen reaching the metal underneath
    • Exclusion of oxygen: keep in vacuum container
    • Exclusion of water: use a desiccant in the container (absorbs water vapour)
  • Electroplating: the surface of a metal is coated with a less reactive metal
    • Anode (positive): coating metal
    • Cathode (negative): original metal
    • Electrolyte: salt of the coating metal (as an aqueous solution)
    • Uses: prevents corrosion, nicer looking e.g. tin cans covering steel
  • Alloys: a mixture of two or more metals.
  • Alloys are harder than pure metals because they contain different sized particles so they don't slide easily when hammered.
  • Brass: 70% copper, 30% zinc.
  • Steel: 96% iron, with carbon, phosphorus, silicon and sulfur impurities.
  • Alluminium alloys with copper, manganese, sillicon: aircrafts as they light and strong e.g. magnalium.
  • Bronze: copper and tin
  • Gold alloys: less than 24 carat, the rest is copper or silver.

  • Chemical cell: produces a voltage until one of the reactants is used up
  • Hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell: hydrogen and oxygen are used to produce a voltage and water is the only product.
  • 2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(l)
  • 😄: no pollution, only waste is water, is rechargeable forever unlike batteries, quiet, efficient, continuous (will keep producing energy as long as fuel is supplied)
  • 😦: expensive, difficult and expensive to store and transport hydrogen, dangerous? (too quiet)