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Modern European coins contain mixtures of metals - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 1 - 2011 - Paper 1
Question 1
Modern European coins contain mixtures of metals. The 1 cent and 1 euro coins are shown. The 1 cent coin is made of steel, coated with copper. The 1 euro coin has ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Modern European coins contain mixtures of metals - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 1 - 2011 - Paper 1
Step 1
Step 2
Compare the compositions of the two parts of the coin to suggest which metal causes the alloy to become gold-coloured.
Answer
The inner part of the 1 euro coin contains copper and nickel, while the outer part contains copper and zinc. The presence of zinc in the outer alloy is likely what causes the gold colouring.
Step 3
Use these diagrams to help you explain why alloying increases the strength of the pure metal.
Answer
Alloying increases the strength of a pure metal by introducing second metal particles that are larger, disrupting the arrangement of the layers in the pure metal. This disruption prevents layers from sliding over each other easily, enhancing the overall strength of the alloy.
Step 4
Step 5
Explain why electrolysis must be used to extract aluminium from its oxide.
Answer
Electrolysis must be used to extract aluminium from its oxide because aluminium is more reactive than carbon. Thus, it cannot be reduced by carbon; electrolysis provides the necessary energy to separate aluminium from its oxide.