Learn: Finite Resources, Mining Impacts and Atomic Structure: Chemistry Study Cards

What are finite resources?

Resources that can eventually run out because they take millions of years to form.

What is another name for finite resources?

Non-renewable resources.

Name five examples of finite resources.

Coal, oil, natural gas, iron ore and bauxite.

What is iron ore used to make?

Steel, used in cars, buildings and bridges.

What is bauxite used to make?

Aluminium, used in cans, aircraft and buildings.

What are coal's main uses?

Generating electricity and making steel.

What are natural gas's uses?

Heating, electricity and fertiliser production.

What is lithium used for?

Batteries in phones, laptops and electric cars.

How have First Nations Peoples used ochre?

For painting, ceremonies and body decoration.

How have First Nations Peoples used stone?

To make tools and weapons.

How have First Nations Peoples used wood?

To make shelters, canoes and tools.

How have First Nations Peoples used shells?

For decoration, tools and trade.

How have First Nations Peoples used clay?

For cooking and storage.

How are First Nations resource use and culture connected?

Resources are connected to Country, culture and traditional knowledge.

What are environmental impacts of mining?

Habitat destruction, soil erosion, water pollution, dust and greenhouse gas emissions.

How can coal mining damage the environment?

It clears land, damages habitats and can affect waterways.

How does burning coal contribute to climate change?

It releases carbon dioxide (CO₂), a greenhouse gas.

What are the three main subatomic particles?

Protons, neutrons and electrons.

What charge does a proton have and where is it found?

Positive (+); in the nucleus.

What charge does a neutron have and where is it found?

Neutral (0); in the nucleus.

What charge does an electron have and where is it found?

Negative (−); in electron shells.

What is an element's atomic number?

The number of protons in its atoms.

Why does atomic number identify an element?

Each element has a unique number of protons.

What is the mass number?

The total number of protons and neutrons.

How many protons and neutrons are in carbon-12?

6 protons and 6 neutrons; mass number 12.

What is electron configuration?

The arrangement of electrons in an atom's shells.

How many electrons fit in the first three shells for the first 18 elements?

First shell: 2; second: 8; third: 8.

What is sodium's electron configuration?

2, 8, 1.

What happens to protons and electrons as atomic number increases?

The number of protons increases; a neutral atom has the same number of electrons.

What are groups in the periodic table?

Vertical columns containing elements with similar properties.

Why do elements in the same group have similar properties?

They usually have the same number of valence electrons.

What are periods in the periodic table?

Horizontal rows; the period indicates the number of occupied electron shells.

Why is sodium in Period 3?

It has three occupied electron shells.

How reactive are Group 1 metals?

Very reactive.

How reactive are Group 17 elements?

Very reactive.

Why are Group 18 noble gases unreactive?

Their outer electron shell is full.

What are common properties of metals?

Usually shiny, strong, malleable, ductile and good conductors.

Why is copper used in electrical wires?

It conducts electricity well.

What are common properties of non-metals?

Usually poor conductors; often dull, brittle when solid, or gases.

What is valency?

The number of electrons an atom needs to gain, lose or share to become stable.

Why do atoms form bonds?

They usually become more stable by obtaining a full outer electron shell.

What happens when sodium bonds with chlorine?

Sodium loses one electron to form Na⁺; chlorine gains one to form Cl⁻; they form NaCl.

What do electron dot diagrams show?

The valence electrons around an element's symbol.

What is a noble gas configuration?

An electron arrangement with a full outer shell.

Why are noble gases generally stable?

They have full outer electron shells.

What is ionic bonding?

Electrons transfer, usually from a metal to a non-metal; oppositely charged ions attract.

What is a cation?

A positive ion formed when an atom loses electrons.

What is an anion?

A negative ion formed when an atom gains electrons.

What are the typical properties of ionic substances?

High melting points, crystalline solids, brittleness and conductivity when molten or dissolved.

What is covalent bonding?

Non-metal atoms share electrons to form molecules.

Give four examples of covalent molecules.

H₂O, CO₂, CH₄ and O₂.

What are common properties of simple covalent substances?

Often low melting and boiling points; generally do not conduct electricity.

What is metallic bonding?

Positive metal ions in a structure surrounded by freely moving electrons.

Why do metals conduct electricity?

Their electrons can move freely through the metal.

What are common properties of metals due to metallic bonding?

Good electrical conductivity, malleability, ductility and usually strength and shine.

What is a diatomic molecule?

A molecule containing two atoms.

Name the seven common diatomic elements.

H₂, N₂, O₂, F₂, Cl₂, Br₂ and I₂.

How are charges balanced in an ionic compound?

The total positive and negative charges must equal zero.

Why is magnesium chloride MgCl₂?

Mg²⁺ needs two Cl⁻ ions to balance its +2 charge.

What is an organic compound?

Generally a carbon-based compound, usually containing carbon and hydrogen.

Give examples of organic compounds.

Methane, petrol and plastics.

What are inorganic compounds? Give examples.

Compounds generally not based on carbon-hydrogen structures, such as water and sodium chloride.

What is a hydrocarbon?

A compound containing only carbon and hydrogen.

What is crude oil?

A mixture of many different hydrocarbons.

What is fractional distillation?

Separating crude oil into fractions based on different boiling points.

What are the steps of fractional distillation?

Heat crude oil; vapours rise through a column; hydrocarbons condense at different temperatures and are collected.

What is petrol used for?

Fuel for cars.

What is diesel used for?

Fuel for cars, trucks and machinery.

What is kerosene used for?

Aircraft fuel.

What is bitumen used for?

Road surfaces.

What is LPG used for?

Cooking and heating.

What is an alkane?

A hydrocarbon containing only single carbon-carbon bonds.

What is the general formula for alkanes?

CₙH₂ₙ₊₂.

What are the first four alkanes and their formulas?

Methane CH₄; ethane C₂H₆; propane C₃H₈; butane C₄H₁₀.

What are the next four alkanes and their formulas?

Pentane C₅H₁₂; hexane C₆H₁₄; heptane C₇H₁₆; octane C₈H₁₈.

How do alkane names end?

They end in -ane; prefixes indicate the number of carbon atoms.

What is complete combustion?

Burning a hydrocarbon with enough oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water and energy.

What is the word equation for complete combustion?

Hydrocarbon + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + energy.

Give a balanced equation for methane's complete combustion.

CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O.

What is incomplete combustion?

Burning a hydrocarbon with insufficient oxygen.

What can incomplete combustion produce?

Carbon monoxide, carbon soot, water and less energy.

Why is carbon monoxide dangerous?

It is poisonous and reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen.

What makes a chemical equation balanced?

Both sides contain the same number of each type of atom.

How have hydrocarbons been used?

For transport, electricity, heating, plastics and chemical manufacturing.

Why is there pressure to reduce fossil fuel use?

Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.

Name renewable energy alternatives to fossil fuels.

Solar, wind, hydroelectricity, biofuels and hydrogen; batteries store energy.

What is a polymer?

A very large molecule made from many smaller molecules called monomers.

Where do many plastics come from?

Chemicals obtained from crude oil and natural gas.

How is polyethylene made?

Many ethene molecules join together to form a polymer.

What are the properties and uses of LDPE?

Flexible, lightweight and waterproof; used in plastic bags and packaging.

What are the properties and uses of HDPE?

Stronger, more rigid and durable than LDPE; used in bottles, containers and pipes.

What are the properties and uses of PVC?

Strong and durable; can be flexible or rigid; used in pipes, cable coverings and building materials.

What does biodegradable mean?

Able to be broken down naturally by microorganisms.

How could you investigate biodegradability?

Bury different materials and measure mass, appearance, remaining material and time to break down.

How do you make a biodegradability investigation fair?

Keep temperature, moisture and amount of material the same.

What are microplastics?

Very small pieces of plastic, usually less than 5 mm.

Where can microplastics be found?

Oceans, rivers, soil and food chains.

What is bioaccumulation?

The build-up of a substance inside an organism over time.

How can microplastics move through a food chain?

Microplastics are eaten by small fish, then larger fish and predators.

What are possible effects of microplastics?

Physical harm, feeding and digestion problems, harmful chemical transport and ecosystem impacts.