Elements 6.3 - Ten Substances that Changed the World [ARCHIVE] Flashcards
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Which essential elements do you take in when you breathe?
As you breathe in, you take in oxygen and nitrogen.
What are the main five elements that changed the world?
Copper, iron, oxygen, uranium and silicon.
How did copper change the world?
Copper was the first metallic element to be extracted from a rock which contain minerals known as ‘copper ores’, humans heated copper ores with carbon to make pure copper metal which is perfect for making decorative plates, jewellery and utensils because of how shiny and malleable it is.
What was a step in human civilisation when it came to copper?
When people realised it could be mixed with element tin to create the alloy ‘bronze’. Bronze was much stronger and harder so therefore, more useful.
How did iron change the world?
When iron is mixed with carbon it forms steel alloys that are harder, stronger and less likely to rust.
What was a step in human civilisation when it came to iron?
When steel was made with iron it made better tools, weapons etc. which made domestic life, agriculture and warfare easier.
How did oxygen change the world?
Oxygen allows every living thing to survive, but also led to a revolution in our understanding of how things burn.
What was a step in human civilisation when it came to oxygen?
When a scientist showed that when metals burned in oxygen, the ashes weighed more than the original metal.
How did uranium change the world?
When it was discovered that uranium could be used to make nuclear explosions.
What was a step in human civilisation when it came to uranium?
It can be used to generate electricity in nuclear power plants which release much less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
How did silicon change the world?
It forms the basis of a multibillion-dollar industry that drives computing and electronics.
What was a step in human civilisation when it came to silicon?
When people found out that it is a semiconductor, (can conduct electricity and insulate like s non-metal), which allowed scientists to create a transistor.
What are five compounds that changed the world?
Salt, saltpetre, silica, polymers and DNA.
How did salt change the world?
It determined who won wars, and was used for payment instead of money. It was also the best way to preserve food.
What was a step in human civilisation when it came to salt?
When people found out how to collect salt from seawater using salt pans, this meant that any country bordering the ocean had unlimited access to salt.
