Corrosion & Alloys — GCSE Chemistry Revision
Revise Corrosion & Alloys for GCSE Chemistry. Step-by-step explanation, worked examples, common mistakes and exam-style practice aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP.
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Go to Ceramics, Polymers & CompositesWhat is Corrosion & Alloys?
Corrosion is the destruction of a metal by chemical reactions with substances in its environment. The most common example is the rusting of iron, which requires both oxygen and water. An alloy is a mixture of a metal with at least one other element, which is done to improve its properties, such as strength or resistance to corrosion.
Board notes: Corrosion and alloys are covered by all boards. You need to know the conditions for rusting and methods of prevention. You should also be able to define an alloy and explain how its structure leads to different properties, with examples like brass, bronze, and steel.
Step-by-step explanationWorked example
Iron rusts in the presence of air and water to form hydrated iron(III) oxide. This can be prevented by coating the iron with a barrier (like paint or oil), or by sacrificial protection, where a more reactive metal (like zinc) is attached to the iron and corrodes instead.
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Common mistakes
- 1Thinking that rust is just iron oxide. It is hydrated iron(III) oxide.
- 2Forgetting that both oxygen and water are required for iron to rust. If either is absent, rusting will not occur.
- 3Confusing alloys with compounds. An alloy is a mixture; the different elements are not chemically bonded together in a fixed ratio.
Corrosion & Alloys exam questions
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Step-by-step method
Step-by-step explanation
4 steps · Worked method for Corrosion & Alloys
Core concept
Corrosion is the destruction of a metal by chemical reactions with substances in its environment. The most common example is the rusting of iron, which requires both oxygen and water. An alloy is a mi…
Frequently asked questions
What is an alloy?
An alloy is a mixture of two or more elements, where at least one element is a metal. The different sized atoms of the other elements distort the regular lattice structure of the metal, making it harder for the layers to slide, which usually makes the alloy harder and stronger than the pure metal.
Give an example of an alloy and its use.
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. It is harder than pure copper and is used to make musical instruments and plumbing fittings. Stainless steel is an alloy of iron, chromium, and nickel, which is resistant to corrosion and is used in cutlery and surgical instruments.