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In this question you will be assessed on using good English, organising information clearly and using specialist terms where appropriate - AQA - GCSE Chemistry - Question 2 - 2017 - Paper 1
Question 2
In this question you will be assessed on using good English, organising information clearly and using specialist terms where appropriate. Metals and thermosetting p... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In this question you will be assessed on using good English, organising information clearly and using specialist terms where appropriate - AQA - GCSE Chemistry - Question 2 - 2017 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain how the properties of a metal relate to its structure.
Answer
Metals have unique properties due to their structure. They consist of closely packed positive ions arranged in a regular pattern within a giant lattice structure. This arrangement gives metals their characteristic properties:
- Shiny: The delocalized electrons can move freely and reflect light.
- Hardness and Strength: Metals are typically hard because they have strong metallic bonds holding the ions in place.
- High melting and boiling points: Strong bonds require a significant amount of energy to break, leading to high melting and boiling points.
- Malleable and Ductile: Since layers of atoms can slide over each other without breaking the metallic bond, metals can be shaped into various forms.
- Conductivity: The presence of delocalized electrons allows metals to conduct heat and electricity efficiently.
Step 2
Explain how the properties of a thermosoftening polymer relate to its structure.
Answer
Thermosoftening polymers exhibit different properties from metals due to their structural characteristics. These polymers consist of long chains of molecules that can be tangled but lack strong cross-linking between them:
- Flexibility: The chains can move past each other, which enables the polymer to be flexible.
- Low melting/boiling points: They usually have lower melting points because the intermolecular forces holding the chains together are weaker.
- Shapability: Thermosoftening polymers can be easily molded when heated; they become soft and can take on different shapes.
- Poor electrical conductivity: Unlike metals, thermosoftening polymers are generally poor conductors of electricity and thermal energy due to their lack of charged particles capable of movement.