A composite is made by mixing fragments of material P into liquid material Q. The mixture is moulded and material Q hardens around the fragments.
A workplace needs a portable ramp that one person can carry easily. The ramp must withstand a force of at least 4.5 kN. The workplace is choosing between a composite ramp and a steel ramp with the same dimensions.
| Ramp material | Density in g/cm³ | Maximum force in kN |
|---|---|---|
| Composite | 1.8 | 4.8 |
| Steel | 7.8 | 5.2 |
Name the material that acts as the matrix in the composite.
Explain why the composite is more suitable than steel for the portable ramp.
118 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Chemistry 10.3 Using materials, covering 10.3.1 Corrosion and its prevention, 10.3.2 Alloys as useful materials, and 10.3.3 Ceramics, polymers and composites. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.