Science · X-Factor Notes
Alloys revision notes for UPPCS Prelims.
15 revision facts
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Alloy | An alloy is a substance formed by combining two or more elements, where at least one element is a metal | |
| Alloys vs. Metals | Copper is a metal; steel, brass, and bronze are categorized as alloys. | - |
| Aircraft/Train Components | Alloys of Aluminium (like Duralumin) are used in making aeroplanes and parts of train compartments due to their low density and strength. | - |
| Brass/Bronze/German Silver Common Component | Copper is a common metallic component found in Brass, Bronze, and German Silver. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002 |
| Brass Fading | The fading color of brass in air is due to the presence of Hydrogen Sulphide. | - |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Brass | An alloy primarily composed of Copper and Zinc. | UPPCS (Pre) 1993; U.P.U.D.A/L.D.A. (Pre) 2001 |
| Bronze | An alloy primarily composed of Copper and Tin. | UPPCS (Pre) (Re. Exam) 2015; U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2016 |
| German Silver Composition | German Silver contains Copper, Zinc, and Nickel. | - |
| German Silver (Silver content) | The percentage of silver found in German Silver is 0% (It is named for its silvery appearance, not its composition). | UPPCS (Mains) 2003 |
| Solder | An alloy used for soldering metal pieces, consisting mainly of Tin and Lead. | UPPCS (Pre) 2005; UPPCS (Pre) 1996 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel Components | Chromium is the important metal used along with iron to produce stainless steel. | UPPCS (Pre) 2002; U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2017 |
| Stainless Steel (Detailed) | Stainless steel is an alloy that includes Iron, Chromium, Manganese, and Carbon. | U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2010 |
| Steel Hardness | To make steel hard, it requires an increase in the quantity of Carbon. | - |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Amalgam Definition | A substance formed by the reaction of Mercury with another metal. Amalgams are substances that mainly involve mercury. | UPPCS (Mains) 2012; U.P.U.D.A/L.D.A. (Pre) 2001 |
| Non-Amalgam Forming Metal | Iron is a metal that does not form an amalgam with mercury. | I.A.S. (Pre) 1998 |
