Year 7 · Design and technology · Materials and tools · Lesson 2
Metals and plastics
Ferrous and non-ferrous metals, alloys, thermoplastics and thermosets: properties, the magnet test, uses and choosing materials.
16-minute video lesson
Teaching, worked examples and 20 practice questions solved step by step.
Watch free for a monthWhat your child will learn
- Classify ferrous, non-ferrous and alloys
- Test for ferrous metals
- Distinguish thermoplastics and thermosets
- Choose a material with reasons
The method
- What must it do?
- Wood/metal/plastic.
- Which group?
- Cost + sustainability.
Key words: ferrous, non-ferrous, alloy, thermoplastic, thermoset, acrylic.
Worked examples
The first three practice questions from the lesson, with every step.
Question 1
What do ferrous metals contain?
- Step 1: Fe
Answer: iron
Question 2
Name a ferrous metal.
- Step 1: Steel
Answer: mild steel / cast iron
Question 3
Name a non-ferrous metal.
- Step 1: Cans
Answer: aluminium / copper