Chemistry · General Awareness

Chemistry of Metals and Alloys

1,762 Questions

Review the physical and chemical properties of various metals and their common alloys. This collection covers industrial applications, metallurgical processes, and practical uses of elements like silicon and boron. Practice these questions to strengthen your chemistry fundamentals for exams.

Properties of metalsCommon alloysIndustrial metallurgyChemical applications

Chemistry of Metals and Alloys Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following is/are fusible alloy(s)? P. Newton’s alloy Q. Jean Darcet’s alloy R. Dow’s alloy

  1. P only

  2. Q only

  3. R only

  4. P and Q

  5. Q and R
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Fusible alloys are generally composed of Bi, Pb and Sn. They melt at comparatively low temperatures, below the melting point of tin. Examples are- Newton’s alloy (contains 50% Bi, 31.25% Pb and 18.75% Sn), Jean Darcet’s alloy (contains 50% Bi, 25% Pb and 25% Sn), etc. Dow’s alloy or Dow metal is an example of light metal alloys. Dow metal contains 93.8% Mg, 6% Al and 0.2% Mn.

Multiple choice

The composition of Field’s metal is

  1. 51% In, 32.5% Bi, 16.5% Sn

  2. 50% Bi, 25–28% Pb, 22–25% Sn

  3. 50% Bi, 26.7% Pb, 13.3% Sn,10% Cd

  4. 68% Ga, 22% In, 10%

  5. 50% Sn, 50% Zn
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Field's metal, or Field's alloy is a fusible alloy that becomes liquid at approximately 62oC. It has 51% In, 32.5% Bi and 16.5% Sn.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements are false?

  1. 18-carot gold consists of Au 58%, Cu 12–28% and Ag 4–30%.
  2. Sterling-S alloy contains Ag 82.5% and Cu 17.5%.
  3. Naval brass is composed of Cu 60%, Zn 39.25% and Sn 0.75%.
  4. Dow’s metal consists of 93.8% Mg, 6% Al and 0.2% Mn.

  1. 1 and 2

  2. 2 and 3

  3. 3 and 4

  4. 1, 2 and 3

  5. 2, 3 and 4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
  1. 18-carot gold contains Au 75%, Ag 10–20% and Cu 5–15%. Gold 14-carot consists of Au 58%, Cu 12–28% and Ag 4–30%.
    1. Sterling-S (sterling silver) alloy is composed of Ag 92.5% and Cu 7.5%.
    2. The composition of Naval brass is Cu 60%, Zn 39.25% and Sn 0.75%.4. Dow’s metal is composed of 93.8% Mg, 6% Al and 0.2% Mn. Hence, both 1 and 2 are false.
Multiple choice

Linotype metal alloy contains

  1. 88% Cu, 10% Sn, 2% Zn and 0.5% Pb

  2. 86% Pb, 11% Sb and 3% Sn

  3. 50% Bi, 25% Pb and 25% Sn

  4. 76% Sn and 24% Pb

  5. Cu 25-30%, Zn 25-30% and Ni 40–50%
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Linotype metal alloy contains 86% Pb, 11% Sb and 3% Sn and has been used for over five centuries in printing processes.

Multiple choice

The metal ingredients in Prince’s metal are

  1. Cu, Zn, Sn, Fe

  2. Cu, Zn, Mn

  3. Cu, Zn, Sn

  4. Cu, Zn, Al, Sn

  5. Cu, Zn
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Prince’s metal is a type of alpha brass. Due to its yellow colour, it is used as an imitation of gold. Also called Prince Rupert's metal, the alloy was named after Prince Rupert of the Rhine. The composition of prince’s metal contains 75% copper and 25% zinc.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are false? P. Linotype alloy contains 86% Pb, 11% Sb and 3% Sn and is used in printing processes. Q. Wood’s metal is composed of 50% Pb, 25% Sn and 25% Bi and is used in soldering. R. Monotype metal contains 78% Pb, 15% Sb and 7% Sn.

  1. P only

  2. Q only

  3. R only

  4. P and Q

  5. Q and R
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

P. Linotype metal alloy contains 86% Pb, 11% Sb and 3% Sn and has been used for over five centuries in printing processes. This alloy has low melting point, good stability and undergoes minimum contraction on solidification. Q. Wood’s metal is composed of 50% Pb, 25% Sn, 12.5% Cd and 12.5% Bi. This alloy has melting point of 80 oC and is used in soldering. R. Monotype metal contains 78% Pb, 15% Sb and 7% Sn.

Multiple choice

The lightest metal is

  1. K

  2. Li

  3. Ca

  4. Mg
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Lithium (Li) is the lightest metal with an atomic mass of about 6.94 u. It has the lowest density among all metals (0.534 g/cm³) and is the first element in the alkali metal group. Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), and Magnesium (Mg) are all significantly heavier than Lithium.

Multiple choice

Which among the following is not an alloy?

  1. Duralumin

  2. Megallium

  3. Britannium

  4. Selenium

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Selenium is a naturally occurring chemical element (non-metal). Duralumin (aluminium-copper), Megallium (silver-palladium), and Britannium (tin-antimony-copper) are all man-made alloys created to improve material properties.

Multiple choice

HINDALIUM as to ALUMINIUM as BRASS is to

  1. ZINC

  2. IRON

  3. COPPER

  4. MAGNESIUM

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Hindalium is an alloy similar to how brass is an alloy. Hindalium is primarily aluminium-based with other metals, while brass is primarily copper-based with zinc. So if Hindalium relates to aluminium, brass relates to its base metal which is copper.