Using a metals key

This task is about deciding the main purpose of a key for metals.

completed metal key chart

Keys are often used in science to help with identifying things. 
This key is for using with metals.

Question

What does the key tell you about mercury? (Select all that apply.)

    • Whether it is a solid or not

    • Its colour

    • If it is soft or hard

    • If it is light or heavy

    • Its magnetic properties

Question

What does the key tell you about lead? (Select all that apply.)

    • Whether it is a solid or not

    • Its colour

    • Whether it is soft or hard

    • Whether it is heavy or light

    • Its magnetic properties

Question 2Change answer

In the key all five properties are described for only two metals,  and  

Question

If you found a gold ring, and you followed the key, which metal does this key suggest it might be?

    • mercury

    • copper

    • lead

    • aluminium

    • iron

    • zinc

Explain why the key does not work for the metal gold.

Question 2Change answer

Keys can be useful. However, when using a key we need to understand what they can help us do and what they can't.

What is one thing this key is not useful for?

Question

What is the main use for this key?

    • To identify all the properties of 6 metals

    • To identify some of the properties of 6 metals

    • To identify the name of any metal

    • To identify the names of 6 metals

    • To identify which metals are magnetic.