Industrial Applications of Material Properties

Try these questions

5 questions from this lesson’s quiz. Start the lesson to answer them and see the right answers.

1. 1. Why is ductile mild steel preferred to brittle cast iron for reinforcing concrete beams?

   • A. It stops the concrete from ever being compressed
   • B. It stretches and deforms visibly before failing, giving warning of overload
   • C. It has a low density so it floats in wet concrete
   • D. It melts at a low temperature while the concrete cures

2. 2. Why are overhead power transmission lines over long distances usually made of aluminium (with a steel core) rather than copper?

   • A. Aluminium is denser than copper, so it steadies the pylons
   • B. Aluminium is much less dense than copper, so it puts less load on the towers, and the steel core carries the tension
   • C. Aluminium is a better electrical conductor than copper
   • D. Aluminium is more ductile than copper, so it bends sharply around the pylons

3. 3. Why must a vehicle windscreen be made of laminated glass rather than toughened glass?

   • A. Laminated glass is cheaper to make than toughened glass
   • B. Laminated glass shatters into small pebbles that fall away from the frame
   • C. When it breaks, the plastic interlayer holds the fragments in place so the driver can still see
   • D. Laminated glass cannot be broken by any impact

4. 4. A roofing nail scratches through the zinc coating on a galvanised iron (mabati) sheet, exposing the iron beneath. Why does the exposed iron still not rust quickly?

   • A. Zinc is more reactive than iron, so it corrodes first and protects the iron
   • B. Zinc is less reactive than iron and forms a paint-like barrier
   • C. Iron cannot rust once it has been heated to 450 °C
   • D. Zinc makes the iron more brittle, so rust cannot spread

5. 5. What name is given to the property of a metal that allows it to be drawn into thin wires without snapping?

   Type your answer in the lesson.

More in Mechanical Properties of Materials

• ▸Understanding Tensile Stress
• ▸Understanding Tensile Strain
• ▸Modulus of Elasticity and Young's Modulus
• ▸Stress Strain Curves and Material Failure
• ▸Practical Material Testing
• ▸Concept of Temperature and Temperature Scales
• ▸Liquid Expansion and Mechanical Thermometers
• ▸Electrical Temperature Sensing

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