Cambridge Science Year 7 – Study Notes
Chapter 5: Properties of Materials
5.1 Metals and Non-Metals
Properties of Metals
• Shiny when freshly cut or polished.
• Strong and tough (do not shatter when dropped).
• Malleable – can be hammered into shape.
• Ductile – can be stretched into wires.
• Sonorous – make a ringing sound when hit.
• Good conductors of heat and electricity.
• High melting & boiling points (except mercury, which is liquid at room
temperature).
• Some are magnetic (iron, steel, nickel, cobalt).
Properties of Non-Metals
• Dull appearance (not shiny).
• Brittle – shatter easily.
• Poor conductors of heat and electricity (except graphite).
• Many are gases (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen).
• Lower melting & boiling points than metals.
Common Uses
• Metals: Jewelry (gold, silver), bridges (iron), electrical wiring (copper).
• Non-Metals: Balloons (helium), disinfectant (chlorine), rubber (sulfur).
5.2 Comparing Metals and Non-Metals
Property Metals Non-Metals
State Most are solid at room temperature Many are gases
Appearance Shiny Dull
Strength Strong, do not shatter Brittle
Conductivity Good conductor of heat & electricity Poor conductor (except graphite)
Malleability Malleable & ductile Not malleable or ductile
Sound Sonorous Not sonorous
5.3 Metal Mixtures (Alloys)
• Alloys = Metal mixtures that have improved properties.
• Examples:
o Bronze = Copper + Tin (harder than pure metals).
o Steel = Iron + Carbon (stronger, does not rust).
o Brass = Copper + Zinc (used in instruments).
o Duralumin = Aluminum + Copper + Magnesium (light and strong for
aircraft).
o Nitinol (Shape Memory Alloy) = Nickel + Titanium (returns to original shape
when heated).
Why Alloys?
• Harder and stronger than pure metals.
• Prevent rusting and corrosion.
• Improve durability (e.g., jewelry, coins, airplanes).
5.4 Separating Mixtures
Methods:
• Filtration – separates insoluble solids from liquids (e.g., sand & water).
• Evaporation – removes liquid to leave solid behind (e.g., salt from seawater).
• Distillation – separates liquids based on boiling points (e.g., water from food dye).
• Magnetism – separates magnetic materials (e.g., iron from sulfur).
Experiment: Separating Sandy, Salty Water
1. Filtration removes sand.
2. Evaporation removes water, leaving salt.
5.5 Acids and Alkalis
Acids:
• Sour taste (e.g., lemons, vinegar).
• Can be corrosive (e.g., hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid).
• Dangerous if strong – wear safety glasses and dilute with water.
Alkalis:
• Found in cleaning products (e.g., soap, baking soda).
• Can be corrosive (e.g., sodium hydroxide).
• Neutralizes acids.
Safety Precautions:
• Stand while working.
• Wear safety glasses.
• Handle chemicals carefully.
• Wash spills with plenty of water.
5.6 Indicators and the pH Scale
Indicators:
• Litmus Paper:
o Red in acid, Blue in alkali, Purple in neutral.
• Universal Indicator:
o Measures pH scale (1-14).
o pH 1-6 = Acidic (red/yellow)
o pH 7 = Neutral (green)
o pH 8-14 = Alkaline (blue/purple).
Experiment: Testing pH
• Use universal indicator to test different substances (e.g., lemon juice, soap solution).
• Record colors and determine pH levels.
5.2 Comparing Metals and Non-Metals
5.1 Metals and Non-Metals 7. Which of the following metals is
liquid at room temperature?
1. Which of the following is NOT a A) Mercury
property of most metals? B) Lead
A) Malleable C) Zinc
B) Conductive D) Silver
C) Brittle 8. What is a common property of
D) Ductile both metals and non-metals?
2. What does "malleable" mean in A) Both are shiny
relation to metals? B) Both conduct electricity
A) Can be hammered into shape C) Both can be found in nature
without breaking D) Both are magnetic
B) Can conduct electricity 9. Why are metals often used in
C) Can rust when exposed to air construction?
D) Can float on water A) They are weak and brittle
3. Which metal is used to make B) They conduct electricity
electrical wires due to its C) They are strong and durable
excellent conductivity? D) They react with acids easily
A) Iron 10. Which statement is true about
B) Copper non-metals?
C) Zinc A) They are good conductors of
D) Aluminum electricity
4. Which of the following is a B) They are mostly solids at
common property of non-metals? room temperature
A) Shiny surface C) They are dull and brittle
B) Conducts heat well D) They can be easily stretched
C) Brittle into wires
D) Ductile 11. What is the reason why iron is
5. What happens to the surface of not used in jewelry?
most metals when exposed to air A) It is too soft
for a long time? B) It rusts easily
A) It becomes more shiny C) It is not malleable
B) It corrodes or tarnishes D) It is not shiny
C) It melts 12. Where are metals found on the
D) It turns into a gas periodic table?
6. Which of these metals is A) On the right side
magnetic? B) In the middle and left side
A) Copper C) Only at the bottom
B) Iron D) Scattered randomly
C) Gold
D) Aluminum
5.3 Metal Mixtures (Alloys) 5.4 Separating Mixtures
13. What is an alloy? 19. Which method is best for
A) A type of non-metal separating iron filings from sand?
B) A mixture of two or more A) Evaporation
metals B) Filtration
C) A pure element C) Distillation
D) A non-conductive material D) Using a magnet
14. Which of the following is an 20. How can salt be separated from
example of an alloy? seawater?
A) Iron A) Filtration
B) Copper B) Distillation
C) Bronze C) Sieving
D) Silver D) Freezing
15. Stainless steel is a mixture of 21. What is the principle behind
iron, carbon, and which element? distillation?
A) Zinc A) Separating based on magnetic
B) Chromium properties
C) Tin B) Separating based on different
D) Lead boiling points
16. Why are alloys preferred over C) Filtering out insoluble
pure metals for many uses? materials
A) They are cheaper D) Separating by density
B) They have better properties 22. What type of mixture can be
like strength and corrosion separated using filtration?
resistance A) Two gases
C) They are easier to melt B) A liquid and a dissolved solid
D) They are not affected by heat C) A liquid and an insoluble
17. What metals are mixed to form solid
brass? D) Two miscible liquids
A) Copper and Zinc 23. Which of these is NOT a method
B) Iron and Carbon of separating mixtures?
C) Aluminum and Tin A) Filtration
D) Gold and Silver B) Magnetism
18. What is a key property of C) Melting
bronze? D) Evaporation
A) It is magnetic 24. What is left behind when
B) It rusts quickly seawater is evaporated?
C) It is harder than pure copper A) Nothing
D) It is a poor conductor of heat B) Pure water
C) Salt and minerals
D) Oil
5.5 Acids and Alkalis C) Red
D) Yellow
25. What is the pH of a neutral 28. What property do alkalis have?
substance? A) They are sour
A) 1 B) They feel soapy
B) 7 C) They are magnetic
C) 10 D) They turn litmus paper red
D) 14 29. What happens when an acid and
26. Which of the following is an an alkali react together?
acid? A) The acid becomes stronger
A) Vinegar B) The alkali evaporates
B) Soap C) A neutral substance is formed
C) Baking soda D) They turn into a gas
D) Ammonia 30. Which substance is used as an
27. What color does litmus paper indicator to test for acids and
turn in an acid? alkalis?
A) Blue A) Universal Indicator
B) Green B) Water
C) Salt
D) Sugar
10 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions for Chapter 5: Properties of Materials
1. Metals are generally __________, which means they can be drawn into wires.
2. A mixture of two or more metals is called an __________.
3. __________ is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature.
4. The ability of a metal to be hammered into different shapes without breaking is
called __________.
5. Non-metals are usually __________, which means they break easily when force is
applied.
6. The method used to separate a mixture of water and salt is called __________.
7. A pH value of 7 indicates that a substance is __________.
8. The process of heating a liquid to separate its components based on different boiling
points is called __________.
9. A __________ is a substance that changes color to show whether a solution is acidic or
alkaline.
10. Stainless steel is an alloy that contains iron, carbon, and __________ to prevent rusting.
Options:
• Mercury
• Alloy
• Neutral
• Malleability
• Distillation
• Brittle
• Indicator
• Ductile
• Evaporation
• Chromium
