Properties of materials

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Question 33
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This question is about properties of materials.

High-performance orthopedic implants can be made from stainless steel or carbon-fiber reinforced polyether ether ketone (CF-PEEK).

The table shows some information about stainless steel and CF-PEEK.

Stainless steelCF-PEEK
Density (g/cm3\text{g/cm}^3g/cm3)8.008.008.001.451.451.45
Relative strength111333
Biocompatibilitylowhigh
Resistance to corrosionmoderatehigh
a.

Describe and explain two reasons why high-performance orthopedic implants are made from CF-PEEK instead of stainless steel.

[4]
b.

Look at the structure of Kevlar: [−CO−C6H4−CO−NH−C6H4−NH−]n\left[ -\text{CO}-\text{C}_6\text{H}_4-\text{CO}-\text{NH}-\text{C}_6\text{H}_4-\text{NH}- \right]_n[−CO−C6​H4​−CO−NH−C6​H4​−NH−]n​ What type of molecule is Kevlar?

[1]
c.

Nanoparticles of zinc oxide are being used to make antimicrobial coatings for orthopedic implants.

A zinc oxide nanoparticle has a diameter of 43 nm43\text{ nm}43 nm. The diameter of a zinc atom is 0.18 nm0.18\text{ nm}0.18 nm.

Estimate how many times larger the zinc oxide nanoparticle is, compared to a zinc atom. Give your answer to 1 significant figure.

[2]
d.

Zinc oxide is used as an antibacterial agent. Suggest why 1 g1\text{ g}1 g of zinc oxide is more effective when used as nanoparticles rather than as a bulk powder.

[2]

Properties of materials Questions

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  3. /Properties of materials