Chemistry: Earth resources

Finite

A resource that cannot be replaced once it has been used, e.g coal

Infinite

A resource that can be replaced once it has been used, e.g biofuel

Sustainable development

Resources being used to meet people’s current needs without preventing future generations from meeting theirs

6 most common elements in the Earth’s crust

Oxygen, silicon, aluminium, iron, calcium, sodium

Metals found in the Earth’s crust

Aluminium, magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium, titanium, sodium

Non metals found in the Earth’s crust

Oxygen, hydrogen, silicon

Properties of metals

Shiny, high melting and boiling points, high density, high strength, electricity conductors

Ore

A rock from which metals can be extracted for profits

Oxidation

The gain of oxygen atoms by a substance in a chemical reaction

Reduction

The loss of oxygen by a substance in a chemical reaction

Electrolysis

The decomposition/ breakdown of a compound using an electric current

Formula to find the amount of metal in an ore based off a percentage

weight of ore x percentage as a decimal

Example equation to find the amount of metal in an ore

Weight = 2000kg

Percentage of iron = 93%

2000 × 0.93 = 1860

1860 kg of iron in the ore

6 aspects of the ecological footprint

Sustainability, extraction and erosion of landscape, processing, transportation, wastage and pollution

Sustainability

Will this help or hinder future generations? i.e, will the next generation still have enough of this resource??

Extraction and erosion of landscape

Do we have to dig up/mine this material or clear the land by deforestation??

Processing

How much energy does it take to turn a rock into the desired material??

Transportation

Do we need to build a transport infrastructure to move materials and products to and from extraction sites??

Wastage

How much of the ore will go to waste as it is not the desired material??

Pollution

How many greenhouse gases are being released?? Are we scaring off animals via noise pollution??