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Ceramics, composites and polymers

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Chemistry practicals

Investigating distillation methods

Investigating the composition of inks

Investigating acids and alkalis

Preparing soluble and insoluble salts

Investigating electrolysis

Investigating rates of reaction

Fuels and Earth science

Hydrocarbons and crude oil

Combustion and pollution

Cracking

Evolution of the Earth's atmosphere

Greenhouse gases and climate change

Rates of reaction and energy changes

Calculating rates of reactions

Catalysts

Endothermic and exothermic reactions

Energy changes in reactions

Bond energy calculations - Higher

Groups in the periodic table

Group 1: properties and reactivity

Group 7: properties and reactions

Group 0: properties and reactivity

Extracting metals and equilibria

The reactivity series of metals

Extracting metals

Biological methods of metal extraction - Higher

Reducing the use of resources

Life cycle assessments

Reversible reactions and equilibria

Position of equilibrium - Higher

Chemical changes

Acids, bases and pH

Strong and weak acids - Higher

Reactions of acids

Electrolysis

States of matter and mixtures

Changes of state

Substance types and determining purity

Filtration and crystallisation

Chromatography: phases and calculations

Potable water, treatment and purification

Key concepts

Chemical equations

Ionic equations and half equations - Higher

Hazards, risks and precautions

The history of the atom

The atom and isotopes

Calculating relative masses

Calculating relative atomic mass - Higher

The history of the periodic table

Electronic configuration

Ions and their formation

Ionic bonding: properties of compounds and naming

Covalent bonding

Giant covalent substances

Metallic bonding and alloys

Conservation of mass

Molecular and empirical formulae

Mole calculations and Avogadro's constant - Higher

Concentrations of solutions

Limiting reactants and masses - Higher

Practical skills

Measuring techniques

Safety and ethics

Designing experiments

Methods of heating substances

Working with electronics

Random sampling and sampling methods

Comparing results using percentage change

Working scientifically

The scientific method

Science communication and ethics

Evaluating risks and hazards

Collecting data

Processing and presenting data

Units and equations

Structuring a scientific report and drawing conclusions

Uncertainties and evaluations

Explainer Video

Tutor: Alisha

Summary

Ceramics, composites and polymers

In a nutshell

Ceramics and polymers are compounds. Composites are a mixture of compounds.

Ceramics

Definition

Ceramics are non-metal, non-carbon based compounds. They can be made from glass or clay.

Glass made is usually soda-lime glass which is a mixture of limestone, sand and sodium carbonate (soda - so the name soda-lime glass). Another type of glass is borosilicate glass which is a mixture of sand and boron trioxide.

Clay is a soft material which enables it to be easily moulded into a variety of structures. Upon heating, the material hardens.

Examples

Porcelain
Brakes in cars
Glass
Bricks
Pottery

Properties

Insulators of heat and electricity
Stiff
Brittle
High melting point
Transparent (usually for glass)

Polymers

Definition

Properties of polymers are dependant on the monomer(s) and the method used to make them.

Example

Poly(ethene) can have different properties depending on the temperature it was made at. There are two types of poly(ethene), low density poly(ethene) and high density poly(ethene).

Monomers determine bonding between polymers. This also influences the properties of polymers. Thermosoftening polymers consist of chains 'wrapped' around each other via weak bonds. Thermosetting polymers consist of cross-linked chains due to the monomers present, giving rise to a solid, rigid structure.

Examples

Nylon
PVC
Poly(ethene)

Properties

Generally insulators of heat and electricity
Flexible
Malleable
Light
Can be rigid depending on how it was made and what the monomers are

Composites

Forming a material consisting of a mixture of compounds can be useful as the desired properties can be obtained. Composites are formed when a material is embedded in another.

EXAMPLES OF COMPOSITES	USES	PROPERTIES
Fibreglass	Boats and surfboards	Consists of glass fibres in plastic Has low density Very strong
Concrete	Building material	Made from a mixture of sand and gravel embedded in cement Squashable material Very strong
Carbon fibre	Aerospace and sports car manufacturing	Made from either long chain of carbon atoms bonded together (carbon fibres) or carbon nanotubes Very strong Light
Wood	Any structure which is wood based	Made up of cellulose fibres Rigid Solid Strong

Learn with Basics

Length:

Unit 1

Atoms, elements and compounds

Unit 2

Ceramics, polymers and composites

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Optional

Unit 3