Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals
One question decides which family a metal belongs to: does it contain iron? Learn the named ferrous and non-ferrous metals, their properties, and how to choose the right one for a job.
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Two families of metal 🔧
Metals split into two big families. **Ferrous** metals **contain iron**, which makes them strong but means most of them **rust** and are **magnetic**. **Non-ferrous** metals contain **no iron**, so they resist rust and are not magnetic. Knowing which named metal belongs to which family, and its **properties**, is exactly what this topic tests.
The words you need 🔑
Five ideas run through the topic:
What makes a metal ferrous? 🧲
What is it that makes a metal a ferrous metal?
- It contains iron
- It is shiny and silver in colour
- It costs more than other metals
- It is very light in weight
Match each metal to a use 🔗
- Mild steel
- Stainless steel
- Aluminium
- Copper
- Car bodies and structural beams
- Kitchen sinks and cutlery
- Drinks cans and aircraft bodies
- Electrical wiring and water pipes
Ferrous vs non-ferrous ⚖️
One thing separates the two families: iron.
Spot the non-ferrous metals ✅
Select the TWO non-ferrous metals.
- Aluminium
- Copper
- Mild steel
- Cast iron
Two quick clues 🚫
Two clues help you spot a ferrous metal. First, **iron rusts**, so a metal that goes rusty almost certainly contains iron. Second, **iron is magnetic**, so if a magnet sticks to it, it is ferrous. **Aluminium**, **copper** and **brass** do neither, because they contain no iron. Stainless steel is the exception: it is ferrous but resists rust because chromium is added to it.
Complete the metals 🧱
Metals that contain iron are called _____ metals, and they are usually magnetic. Metals with no iron are _____ metals. Copper is very _____, so it can be drawn into thin wires for electrical cables. A metal that resists scratching and wear has high _____. Brass is an alloy of copper and _____.
Tap the ferrous metals 🖍️
An interactive activity.
The magnet test 🪜
An interactive activity.
Pick the right metal 🔀
An interactive activity.
Justify your choice ✍️
An interactive activity.