Mon Prof Augmenté
Aircraft Scrap Metal
Aircraft scrap contains several different metals and alloys mixed together. Density, spark colour and alloy composition help you tell them apart before sorting and recycling.
This picture is part of the full library
Every lesson is open to everyone for 7 days after it is published. This one came out on September 13, 2026: its text stays readable here, and its picture opens with a subscription.
The app is free. A subscription opens every lesson, in every school year.
Age 14: open this week
Browse Age 14
In the picture
- Long white sparks fly from the piece held against the grinder wheel.
- The middle piece throws short red sparks.
- The right-hand piece rests flat on the bench.
- A small dial scale with a metal pan stands behind the row.
- A bar magnet lies beside the scale.
Examples
- A drinks can and a steel food tin look alike, but a magnet picks out the steel.
- Scrap yards grind a piece of metal and watch the sparks to sort mixed metals.
Key takeaways
- Different metals have different densities and throw different spark colours.
- Sorting by alloy before recycling keeps the recycled metal clean and useful.
Carry on in the app
Three questions on this lesson. It has left the free week, so its quiz is for subscribers.
At least one new illustrated lesson every weekday for your child’s year, with its quiz and a reminder at 6:15 pm.
Get the app
Free app, optional subscription
App Store Google Play
