AP Chemistry Flashcards: Structure Of Metals And Alloys

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Structure Of Metals And Alloys, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Chemistry.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Which type of alloy involves replacing some metal atoms with other metal atoms?

Answer: Substitutional alloy. Similar-sized atoms directly replace original metal atoms.

Flashcard 2: State the coordination number in a hexagonal close-packed lattice.

Answer:

1. Maximum possible coordination number for spherical atoms.

Flashcard 3: What is the primary component of bronze?

Answer: Copper. Bronze is traditionally a copper-tin alloy.

Flashcard 4: What is the primary component of brass?

Answer: Copper. Brass is a copper-zinc alloy with copper predominating.

Flashcard 5: Define the term 'interstitial alloy'.

Answer: An alloy with smaller atoms in interstices of the metal lattice. Small atoms fit into gaps between larger metal atoms.

Flashcard 6: What is the effect of alloying on metal conductivity?

Answer: Usually decreases conductivity. Foreign atoms scatter electrons, reducing electron mobility.

Flashcard 7: State the fraction of space occupied by atoms in a face-centered cubic cell.

Answer: $\frac{74}{100}$ or 74%. FCC has maximum packing efficiency for spherical atoms.

Flashcard 8: What is the term for metals' ability to be hammered into sheets?

Answer: Malleability. Layers of atoms can shift while maintaining metallic bonding.

Flashcard 9: Identify the crystal structure with the highest packing efficiency.

Answer: Face-centered cubic or hexagonal close-packed. Both achieve 74% packing efficiency, the theoretical maximum.

Flashcard 10: Identify the unit cell type with atoms at each corner and face.

Answer: Face-centered cubic. Has atoms at corners and centers of each face.

Flashcard 11: What is the coordination number in a body-centered cubic lattice?

Answer:

1. Each atom touches 8 nearest neighbors in this structure.

Flashcard 12: Name a property that distinguishes metals from nonmetals.

Answer: Shiny luster. Delocalized electrons reflect light across visible spectrum.

Flashcard 13: Which type of alloy involves the insertion of smaller atoms into a metal lattice?

Answer: Interstitial alloy. Small atoms fit into spaces between larger lattice atoms.

Flashcard 14: Identify a metal with a hexagonal close-packed structure.

Answer: Magnesium. Many metals naturally adopt the HCP crystal structure.

Flashcard 15: Identify the unit cell type with atoms at each corner and center.

Answer: Body-centered cubic. Has one atom at each corner and one in the center.

Flashcard 16: Which property of metals results from electron cloud overlap?

Answer: Electrical conductivity. Overlapping electron clouds enable charge flow.

Flashcard 17: Which alloy is primarily made of aluminum and copper?

Answer: Duralumin. A strong, lightweight aluminum alloy used in aerospace.

Flashcard 18: State the reason metals have high melting points.

Answer: Strong metallic bonds. Extensive delocalized bonding requires high energy to break.

Flashcard 19: What is a common use of aluminum alloys?

Answer: Aircraft construction. Lightweight aluminum alloys provide strength without excess weight.

Flashcard 20: Name a property that distinguishes metals from nonmetals.

Answer: Shiny luster. Delocalized electrons reflect light across visible spectrum.

Flashcard 21: What is a common use of aluminum alloys?

Answer: Aircraft construction. Lightweight aluminum alloys provide strength without excess weight.

Flashcard 22: What is the coordination number in a face-centered cubic lattice?

Answer:

1. Each atom is surrounded by 12 nearest neighbors.

Flashcard 23: What is the primary component of bronze?

Answer: Copper. Bronze is traditionally a copper-tin alloy.

Flashcard 24: Identify the arrangement of atoms in a metal lattice.

Answer: A regular, repeating pattern. Atoms are arranged in an orderly, periodic structure.

Flashcard 25: Define the term 'interstitial alloy'.

Answer: An alloy with smaller atoms in interstices of the metal lattice. Small atoms fit into gaps between larger metal atoms.

Flashcard 26: State the fraction of space occupied by atoms in a face-centered cubic cell.

Answer: $\frac{74}{100}$ or 74%. FCC has maximum packing efficiency for spherical atoms.

Flashcard 27: What is a common use of aluminum alloys?

Answer: Aircraft construction. Lightweight aluminum alloys provide strength without excess weight.

Flashcard 28: Which metal structure has a coordination number of 8?

Answer: Body-centered cubic. BCC structure has 8 nearest neighbors per atom.

Flashcard 29: What property of metals allows them to be deformed without breaking?

Answer: Plasticity. Ability to deform permanently without fracturing under stress.

Flashcard 30: What is the primary component of brass?

Answer: Copper. Brass is a copper-zinc alloy with copper predominating.

Flashcard 31: Identify the structure type: atoms are tightly packed in layers.

Answer: Close-packed structure. Atoms are arranged to minimize empty space efficiently.

Flashcard 32: Name a common alloy of iron and carbon.

Answer: Steel. Carbon atoms fit into iron's crystal lattice interstitially.

Flashcard 33: What is a primary characteristic of amorphous metals?

Answer: Lack of long-range order. Atoms lack organized, repeating crystalline structure.

Flashcard 34: Identify the unit cell type with atoms at each corner and center.

Answer: Body-centered cubic. Has one atom at each corner and one in the center.

Flashcard 35: Which alloy is primarily made of aluminum and copper?

Answer: Duralumin. A strong, lightweight aluminum alloy used in aerospace.

Flashcard 36: Which metal structure has a coordination number of 8?

Answer: Body-centered cubic. BCC structure has 8 nearest neighbors per atom.

Flashcard 37: Define the term 'substitutional alloy'.

Answer: An alloy with atoms replaced by other metal atoms of similar size. Different metal atoms occupy lattice positions directly.

Flashcard 38: What is the coordination number in a face-centered cubic lattice?

Answer:

1. Each atom is surrounded by 12 nearest neighbors.

Flashcard 39: What is an alloy?

Answer: A mixture of two or more elements, with at least one metal. Combines metals with other elements to enhance properties.

Flashcard 40: What is the effect of alloying on metal hardness?

Answer: Increases hardness. Different atoms disrupt lattice, preventing easy deformation.

Flashcard 41: Identify a metal with a hexagonal close-packed structure.

Answer: Magnesium. Many metals naturally adopt the HCP crystal structure.

Flashcard 42: Which property of metals results from electron cloud overlap?

Answer: Electrical conductivity. Overlapping electron clouds enable charge flow.

Flashcard 43: Which property of metals results from electron cloud overlap?

Answer: Electrical conductivity. Overlapping electron clouds enable charge flow.

Flashcard 44: State the fraction of space occupied by atoms in a face-centered cubic cell.

Answer: $\frac{74}{100}$ or 74%. FCC has maximum packing efficiency for spherical atoms.

Flashcard 45: State the type of bonding found in metals.

Answer: Metallic bonding. Formed by delocalized electrons creating a 'sea' of electrons.

Flashcard 46: What is the effect of alloying on metal conductivity?

Answer: Usually decreases conductivity. Foreign atoms scatter electrons, reducing electron mobility.

Flashcard 47: What is a primary characteristic of amorphous metals?

Answer: Lack of long-range order. Atoms lack organized, repeating crystalline structure.

Flashcard 48: Define the term 'substitutional alloy'.

Answer: An alloy with atoms replaced by other metal atoms of similar size. Different metal atoms occupy lattice positions directly.

Flashcard 49: Which type of alloy involves the insertion of smaller atoms into a metal lattice?

Answer: Interstitial alloy. Small atoms fit into spaces between larger lattice atoms.

Flashcard 50: State the fraction of space occupied by atoms in a face-centered cubic cell.

Answer: $\frac{74}{100}$ or 74%. FCC has maximum packing efficiency for spherical atoms.

Flashcard 51: Which property allows metals to conduct electricity?

Answer: Delocalized electrons. Mobile electrons move freely throughout the metal lattice.

Flashcard 52: What is the effect of impurities on the brittleness of metals?

Answer: Increases brittleness. Foreign atoms create stress points that promote fracturing.

Flashcard 53: Which property allows metals to reflect light?

Answer: Free electrons. Mobile electrons can absorb and re-emit photons effectively.

Flashcard 54: State the reason metals have high melting points.

Answer: Strong metallic bonds. Extensive delocalized bonding requires high energy to break.

Flashcard 55: What is the role of delocalized electrons in metal properties?

Answer: Contribute to conductivity and malleability. Free electrons enable both electrical flow and deformation.

Flashcard 56: Which metal structure has a coordination number of 12?

Answer: Face-centered cubic or hexagonal close-packed. Both FCC and HCP maximize nearest neighbor contacts.

Flashcard 57: What property of metals allows them to be deformed without breaking?

Answer: Plasticity. Ability to deform permanently without fracturing under stress.

Flashcard 58: Which metal structure has a coordination number of 8?

Answer: Body-centered cubic. BCC structure has 8 nearest neighbors per atom.

Flashcard 59: Define the term 'interstitial alloy'.

Answer: An alloy with smaller atoms in interstices of the metal lattice. Small atoms fit into gaps between larger metal atoms.

Flashcard 60: State the coordination number in a hexagonal close-packed lattice.

Answer:

1. Maximum possible coordination number for spherical atoms.

Flashcard 61: What is the effect of alloying on metal hardness?

Answer: Increases hardness. Different atoms disrupt lattice, preventing easy deformation.

Flashcard 62: State the type of bonding found in metals.

Answer: Metallic bonding. Formed by delocalized electrons creating a 'sea' of electrons.

Flashcard 63: What is the basic structural unit of metals?

Answer: The crystal lattice. The repeating 3D arrangement of metal atoms in space.

Flashcard 64: Identify the unit cell type with atoms at each corner and center.

Answer: Body-centered cubic. Has one atom at each corner and one in the center.

Flashcard 65: What is the primary component of bronze?

Answer: Copper. Bronze is traditionally a copper-tin alloy.

Flashcard 66: State the fraction of space occupied by atoms in a body-centered cubic cell.

Answer: $\frac{68}{100}$ or 68%. BCC packing is less efficient than close-packed structures.

Flashcard 67: Which type of alloy involves replacing some metal atoms with other metal atoms?

Answer: Substitutional alloy. Similar-sized atoms directly replace original metal atoms.

Flashcard 68: What is the term for metals' ability to be drawn into wires?

Answer: Ductility. Metal atoms can slide past each other without breaking bonds.

Flashcard 69: What is the term for metals' ability to be hammered into sheets?

Answer: Malleability. Layers of atoms can shift while maintaining metallic bonding.

Flashcard 70: Define the term 'interstitial alloy'.

Answer: An alloy with smaller atoms in interstices of the metal lattice. Small atoms fit into gaps between larger metal atoms.

Flashcard 71: Which metal is added to steel to make stainless steel?

Answer: Chromium. Chromium forms a protective oxide layer preventing corrosion.

Flashcard 72: Identify the unit cell type with atoms at each corner and face.

Answer: Face-centered cubic. Has atoms at corners and centers of each face.

Flashcard 73: Which property allows metals to reflect light?

Answer: Free electrons. Mobile electrons can absorb and re-emit photons effectively.

Flashcard 74: What is the effect of alloying on metal conductivity?

Answer: Usually decreases conductivity. Foreign atoms scatter electrons, reducing electron mobility.

Flashcard 75: State the type of bonding found in metals.

Answer: Metallic bonding. Formed by delocalized electrons creating a 'sea' of electrons.

Flashcard 76: State the fraction of space occupied by atoms in a body-centered cubic cell.

Answer: $\frac{68}{100}$ or 68%. BCC packing is less efficient than close-packed structures.

Flashcard 77: What is the role of delocalized electrons in metal properties?

Answer: Contribute to conductivity and malleability. Free electrons enable both electrical flow and deformation.

Flashcard 78: Which metal is added to steel to make stainless steel?

Answer: Chromium. Chromium forms a protective oxide layer preventing corrosion.

Flashcard 79: State the type of bonding found in metals.

Answer: Metallic bonding. Formed by delocalized electrons creating a 'sea' of electrons.

Flashcard 80: What is the basic structural unit of metals?

Answer: The crystal lattice. The repeating 3D arrangement of metal atoms in space.

Flashcard 81: What is the primary benefit of alloying metals?

Answer: Enhanced properties such as strength and resistance. Combining metals creates materials superior to pure components.

Flashcard 82: What is the role of delocalized electrons in metal properties?

Answer: Contribute to conductivity and malleability. Free electrons enable both electrical flow and deformation.

Flashcard 83: What is the primary benefit of alloying metals?

Answer: Enhanced properties such as strength and resistance. Combining metals creates materials superior to pure components.

Flashcard 84: Identify the crystal structure with the highest packing efficiency.

Answer: Face-centered cubic or hexagonal close-packed. Both achieve 74% packing efficiency, the theoretical maximum.

Flashcard 85: What is the term for metals' ability to be hammered into sheets?

Answer: Malleability. Layers of atoms can shift while maintaining metallic bonding.

Flashcard 86: What is the coordination number in a face-centered cubic lattice?

Answer:

1. Each atom is surrounded by 12 nearest neighbors.

Flashcard 87: Identify the structure type: atoms are tightly packed in layers.

Answer: Close-packed structure. Atoms are arranged to minimize empty space efficiently.

Flashcard 88: Identify the arrangement of atoms in a metal lattice.

Answer: A regular, repeating pattern. Atoms are arranged in an orderly, periodic structure.

Flashcard 89: What is an alloy?

Answer: A mixture of two or more elements, with at least one metal. Combines metals with other elements to enhance properties.

Flashcard 90: What is the primary benefit of alloying metals?

Answer: Enhanced properties such as strength and resistance. Combining metals creates materials superior to pure components.

Flashcard 91: What is a common use of aluminum alloys?

Answer: Aircraft construction. Lightweight aluminum alloys provide strength without excess weight.

Flashcard 92: What is the basic structural unit of metals?

Answer: The crystal lattice. The repeating 3D arrangement of metal atoms in space.

Flashcard 93: What is the effect of alloying on metal hardness?

Answer: Increases hardness. Different atoms disrupt lattice, preventing easy deformation.

Flashcard 94: What is the effect of alloying on metal conductivity?

Answer: Usually decreases conductivity. Foreign atoms scatter electrons, reducing electron mobility.

Flashcard 95: What is the effect of impurities on the brittleness of metals?

Answer: Increases brittleness. Foreign atoms create stress points that promote fracturing.

Flashcard 96: Which alloy is primarily made of aluminum and copper?

Answer: Duralumin. A strong, lightweight aluminum alloy used in aerospace.

Flashcard 97: Which property allows metals to reflect light?

Answer: Free electrons. Mobile electrons can absorb and re-emit photons effectively.

Flashcard 98: What is the term for metals' ability to be drawn into wires?

Answer: Ductility. Metal atoms can slide past each other without breaking bonds.

Flashcard 99: What is a primary characteristic of amorphous metals?

Answer: Lack of long-range order. Atoms lack organized, repeating crystalline structure.

Flashcard 100: Which type of alloy involves the insertion of smaller atoms into a metal lattice?

Answer: Interstitial alloy. Small atoms fit into spaces between larger lattice atoms.