A technician compares two metal samples, X and Y. X is a transition metal and Y is a Group 1 metal.
The same steel ball is pressed into each sample with the same force. A smaller indentation indicates a harder metal.
| Property | X | Y |
|---|---|---|
| Depth of indentation in mm | 0.10 | 1.60 |
| Melting point in ∘C^\circ\text{C}∘C | 1455 | 181 |
A machine uses a punch to press identification marks into hot metal. The punch reaches 500 ∘C500\ ^\circ\text{C}500 ∘C and its surface must resist indentation.
Explain why X should be used instead of Y.
91 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Chemistry 1.3 Properties of transition metals, covering 1.3.1 Comparison with Group 1 elements and 1.3.2 Typical properties of transition metals. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.