Physical Science Lesson 11 the Structure and Properties of Matter

The Structure and Properties of Matter The Structure and Properties of Matter - The Uses of Different Materials According to Their Properties and Structures: Construction of Buildings and Furniture

Objective  At the end of the lesson, lesson, you should be able able to relate the properties properties and structures structures of construction materials to their uses. In the previous lessons, you have learned about the uses of metals, ceramics, and polymers in medical implants, sports equipment, and electronic devices. In this lesson,  you will learn about about the uses of these these materials in constructi construction on supplies.  What are the the properties properties of materials materials considered considered in designing and building building homes, schools, and other infrastructures? infrastructures?

Last Updated: 08.12.16

Learn about it! Materials Used for Construction Supplies In general, the materials used for construction supplies can be categorized into three, namely, metals metals,, ceramics ceramics,, and polymers polymers.. Metals Metals are strong and durable construction materials because of the strong metallic Metals are  bonding between between metal atoms. They have a wide range of applications applications in construction, construction, including roofing, drainage components, and handrails.  As the structural structural framework framework of buildings, metals metals should be durable durable and corrosion corrosion resistant. Corrosion Corrosion,, the process by which something deteriorates because of oxidation, is a major factor in assessing the longevity of the metallic material.

Example

Steel is one of the oldest known construction material. It is an alloy composed primarily of iron and carbon. It is widely used in construction because of its high tensile strength and low cost.  When chromium is added to steel, the alloy is referred to as stainless steel. The addition of about 10.5 to 30% chromium gives rise to superior corrosion- and stainresistant properties. Steel forms iron oxide (rust) in the presence of oxygen. In comparison, stainless steel does not form rust. Instead, it spontaneously forms a chromium oxide layer on its surface on contact with oxygen. This passive layer is impermeable and has the ability to repair itself.

Learn about it! Ceramics Ceramics are inorganic, nonmetallic materials comprised of metal, nonmetal, or semimetal atoms held together by ionic or covalent bonds. These materials are often

used in the construction industry. They are used as abrasive, flooring, roofing and wall tiles, and countertops.

Example Silicon carbide (SC) is a compound of silicon and carbon. It is a nonmetallic ceramic material that behaves almost like a diamond. It is the lightest and the hardest ceramic material. It has high tear resistance. It is also highly resistant to strong acids and bases. SC is a construction supply and is often used as an abrasive because of its high tear resistance and durability. An abrasive is a material that finishes a workpiece through rubbing. For instance, SC is used in stripping and finishing flooring materials, such as  wood.

Learn about it! Polymers Polymers are large molecules with repeating units called monomers. They have a  wide range of applications in construction including flooring, windows pipes, insulation, and signage. For instance, plastics, which are synthetic polymers that can be molded or extruded into different shapes, are used as the replacement for glass and metal pipes.

Example Polymethylmethacrylate  or acrylic is a synthetic polymer of methyl methacrylate.

 Acrylic has high molecular weight and strong London dispersion forces. It is a shatterproof and transparent plastic. Hence, it is used as a replacement for glass. Like glass, acrylic can be molded into different shapes. Granules of acrylic are poured into a machine that heats them up. As the temperature of the polymer is increased, intermolecular forces are disrupted turning the polymer into a viscous liquid. At high temperatures, it can be placed in molds and upon cooling, it solidifies having the shape of its container.

Try it! Take a look around your school. Observe your classroom, canteen, library, and the rest of the school buildings. Do you recognize any construction materials made of metals? How about those made of polymers and ceramics?

What do you think?  What are the properties of materials used for walls and flooring?

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Metals, which are materials held together by strong metallic bonds, are used as roofing, drainage components, and handrails. Ceramics, which are inorganic, nonmetallic materials held together by ionic or covalent bonds, are often used in the construction industry as abrasive, flooring, roofing and wall tiles, and countertops. Polymers, which are large molecules with repeating units, have a wide range of applications in construction including flooring, windows pipes, insulation, and signage.

Question 1  Which of the following are the uses of metals as construction supplies? Correct!

1drainage components3roofing Metals are strong and durable construction materials because of the strong metallic bonding  between metal atoms. They have a wide range of applications in construction, including roofing, drainage components, and handrails. Next question

2electrical insulators4replacement for glass Question 2  Which of the following elements comprise stainless steel? Incorrect!

3iron4chromium

Stainless steel is one of the oldest known construction material. It is an alloy composed primarily of iron, carbon, and chromium. Next question

1sodium2carbon Question 3  Which of the following polymers is used as a replacement for glass? Incorrect!

1polystyrene  Acrylic or polymethylmethacrylate has high molecular weight and strong London dispersion forces. It is a shatterproof and transparent plastic. Hence, it is used as a replacement for glass. Next question

2polyethene3polymethylmethacrylate4polyurethane Question 4  Which of the following properties are attributed to the presence of chromium in stainless steel? Incorrect!

1 water-resistant3dust-resistant Unlike steel, stainless steel has a minimum of 10.5% chromium that gives rise to its superior corrosion- and stain-resistant properties. Next question

2corrosion-resistant4stain-resistant Question 5  Which of the following is the composition of the impermeable layer of stainless steel? Incorrect!

2chromium sulfide Compared to steel, stainless steel spontaneously forms a c hromium oxide layer on its surface on contact with oxygen. This passive layer is impermeable and has the ability to repair itself. Next question

1chromium oxide3iron oxide4iron sulfide Question 6

 What happens when acrylic is heated? Incorrect!

1The polymer evaporates and forms a gas. Like glass, acrylic can be molded into different shapes. Granules of acrylic are poured into a machine that heats them up. As the temperature of the polymer is increased, intermolecular forces are disrupted turning the polymer into a viscous liquid.Next question

2The polymer becomes a supercooled liquid. 3The polymer solidifies into a certain shape.4The polymer melts into a viscous liquid. Question 7  Which of the following describe silicon carbide? Incorrect!

2It has low resistance to strong acids and bases. Silicon carbide (SC) is a compound of silicon and carbon. It is a nonmetallic ceramic material that  behaves almost like a diamond. It is the lightest and the hardest ceramic material. It has high tear resistance and high resistance to strong acids and bases. Next question

1It has high tear resistance.3It is a metal that behaves almost like a diamond. 4It is a compound of silicon and carbon.

Question 8  In a certain laboratory, small molecules were condensed to form a material comprised of large molecules with repeating units. When the electrical conductivity of the material was tested, it was classified as an insulator.

 Which of the following is most likely the identity of the material? Incorrect!

2metal Polymers are large molecules with repeating units called monomers. They have a wide range of applications in construction including flooring, windows pipes, insulation, and signage. Next question

1alloy 3polymer4ceramic Question 9  Materials A and B are both tough, durable, and strong building materials. They are both used as window frames.

 Material A is also used in pipes and electrical wiring while Material B is used in flooring and heat insulation.  What are the possible identities of materials A and B? Incorrect!

1 A is polymer while B is ceramic. Metals can be used to make window frames, pipes, and roofs. They are good conductors of electricity so they are often used as electrical wiring. On the other hand, polymers can be used as flooring,  windows pipes, insulation, and signage. Next question

2 A is ceramic while B is metal.3 A is polymer while B is metal.4 A is metal while B is polymer.

Question 10  Angelo wants to build a handrail in a stairway in his house.

 Which of the following construction materials is best used as a handrail? Incorrect!

1glass The best option is stainless steel. Metals are durable materials that can provide stability or support  when ascending or descending stairways. Finish quiz

2stainless steel3acrylic4silicon carbide