Iron — A Common Metal
KS3 · Year 7 · Chemistry. This route is intended for whole-sheet screenshots and visual QA passes.
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KS3 · Science
Iron — A Common Metal
Year 7 · Chemistry
Total marks
10
Iron is one of the most important metals on Earth. It is used to build skyscrapers, make everyday tools, and is even found inside your own blood. But iron has a problem — it rusts. In this sheet we explore the properties, uses, and chemistry of iron.
Iron is a strong, hard metal with a high melting point. It is magnetic, meaning it is attracted to magnets. Iron has a density of 7.88 g/cm³, which means it is much denser than water. These properties make iron ideal for making nails, girders, and machinery. Pure iron is actually quite soft — it is usually combined with carbon to make steel, which is much stronger.
Which property makes iron useful for making nails?
Iron has a density of 7.88 g/cm³. Calculate the mass of an iron nail with a volume of 2 cm³.
What is iron combined with to make steel?
Rusting is a chemical reaction where iron reacts with oxygen and water to form iron oxide (rust). The word equation is:
iron + oxygen + water → hydrated iron(III) oxide
Rusting can be prevented by: coating iron in zinc (galvanising), painting it, or using stainless steel (iron + chromium). Zinc is used because it is more reactive than iron, so it reacts first and is sacrificed instead of the iron.
Key Equation
iron + oxygen + water → hydrated iron(III) oxide (rust)
What is the chemical name for rust?
Explain why coating iron with zinc prevents rusting. Include the word 'reactive' in your answer.
Describe and explain one other method of preventing iron from rusting.