Resources Flashcards

1
Q

What different ways can humans use the Earth’s resources?

A

Plants, fish, water, mining, rocks.

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2
Q

Give 3 resources we get from the Earth.

A

Water, fossil fuels, rocks.

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3
Q

Define finite resource.

A

A resource which will eventually run out.

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4
Q

Define renewable resource.

A

A resource which will never run out, and can be used forever.

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5
Q

How do you produce potable water?

A

Filtering.

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6
Q

How do you sterilise water?

A

Heat the water and filter it.

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7
Q

How do you desalinate water?

A

Evaporate the water and condense it to remove any salts.

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8
Q

Why do we need to develop new methods to extract materials from the Earth?

A

We are running out of resources so need to find ways of extracting materials of low yield.

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9
Q

What is bioleaching?

A

The process of extracting metals using bacteria.

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10
Q

What is phytomining?

A

The process of extracting metals from ores using plants. Plants absorb metal irons and are burnt to form ash. The ash is reacted with sulphuric acid and electrolysed to produce a pure metal.

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11
Q

How do we assess the impact of an object?

A

Look at:

  • the resources used in the production.
  • the use of the object.
  • Whether it is recyclable or can be disposed of.
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12
Q

How do we analyse a life-cycle assessment?

A

Look at:

  • The energy requirements.
  • The environmental impact.
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13
Q

How can you reduce the amount of resources used?

A

Reusing or recycling materials.

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14
Q

What is rusting?

A

When iron reacts with water and oxygen to produce iron oxide.

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15
Q

How can we prevent corrosion?

A

Removing one or more of the substances needed for rusting to take place. Or, galvanise the iron with a metal such as zinc. This is known as sacrificial protection.

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16
Q

What is the structure of an alloy?

A

A distorted structure with no layers. The molecules are of different sizes so do not slide.

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17
Q

How does the structure of an alloy relate to its properties?

A

There is no sliding of the layers, meaning it is hard.

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18
Q

What is the Haber process used for?

A

Producing ammonia.

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19
Q

In the Haber process, where do the nitrogen and hydrogen come from?

A

From the air.

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20
Q

In the Haber process, what are the conditions needed?

A

An iron catalyst, 450*C and 200 atmospheres.

21
Q

What are the conditions for rusting?

A

The presence of oxygen (air) and water.

22
Q

What makes alloys more useful than pure metals?

A

They have different sized atoms, and so are stronger, and can be more resistant to corrosion.

23
Q

What is the structure of a thermosoftening polymer?

A

Individual polymer chains that are tangled together. The polymer forces between the polymer chains are weak. When heated, the intermolecular forces are broken so the polymer becomes soft.

24
Q

What is the structure of a thermosetting polymer?

A

Strong covalent bonds that form cross-links between their polymer chains. The strong bonds hold the polymer chains in position.

25
Q

What are composites made with?

A

Two materials, making a product with improved properties, such as:

  • Glass and ceramics
  • Fibreglass and polymers
26
Q

What is the symbol equation for making ammonia?

A

N2 + 3H2 <=> 2NH3

27
Q

What is the optimum pressure for the Haber process?

A

The reactants have more gas molecules than the products, so the volume of the reactants is greater than the volume of the products. So, with a higher pressure, more ammonia is released to reduce the pressure. Higher pressures need more energy, which is increases costs. A compromise of 200 atmospheres is often used.

28
Q

What is the optimum temperature for the Haber process?

A

The reaction is exothermic, so the lower the temperature, the greater the yield of ammonia. However, the reaction rate also decreases with decreasing temperature, so a compromise of 450*C is made.

29
Q

What effect does a catalyst have on the Haber process?

A

An iron catalyst is used to speed up the reaction, both forward and reverse. It does not affect the yield of ammonia, but causes ammonia to be produced more quickly.

30
Q

What two reactants are used in fertilisers?

A

Ammonia and an acid.

31
Q

What is the name of the salt formed when ammonia reacts with sulfuric acid? What type of reaction is it?

A

Ammonium sulfate. Neutralisation.

32
Q

What three nutrients do crops require, and what is the fertiliser used which contains these?

A

Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, found in NPK fertilisers.

33
Q

Where does the nitrogen come from when making fertilisers?

A

From ammonia, which is reacted with acids when making fertiliser.

34
Q

Where does the phosphate come from when making fertilisers? How is it obtained?

A

From deposits of phosphate-contain rock. It is insoluble in water, so is treated with acids.

  • With nitric acid, it makes phosphoric acid (which is neutralised with ammonia) and calcium nitrate.
  • With sulfuric acid, it produces single superphosphate (calcium phosphate and sulfate).
  • With phosphoric acid, it produces triple superphosphate (calcium phosphate).
35
Q

Where does the potassium come from when making fertilisers?

A

From the potassium salts, potassium chloride and potassium sulfate, which are mined. They are soluble in water, so they can be separated from impurities and used directly.

36
Q

What is the composition of most of the glass we use?

A

Silicon dioxide (sand).

37
Q

What are clay ceramics?

A

They are materials made from clay and sand.

38
Q

How does the structure of polymers link to their properties?

A

If the chains have cross-links, they are thermosetting, as the chains do not slide. If not, they are thermosoftening.

39
Q

What is the process of treating freshwater/groundwater from lakes/reservoirs etc?

A
  1. The water passes through metals bars and into a settlement tank where soil settles out.
  2. Aluminium sulfate and lime are added. Small particles of dirt clump and sink to the bottom.
  3. The water passes through sand and gravel to remove any more solid particles.
  4. A small amount of chlorine or ozone is added to sterilise the water, killing bacteria. Or UV light is used.
  5. The pH of the water is checked and the water is stored in tanks and service reservoirs.
40
Q

What is the process purifying salty water?

A

This is done through distillation, which is expensive due to energy costs of heating. The overall process is called desalination.

41
Q

How is the pure water tested?

A

pH is tested to see if the substance is pure.

42
Q

How do you test for the presence of water?

A
  1. Anhydrous copper sulfate turns blue.

2. Blue cobalt chloride turns pink.

43
Q

In fertilisers, what is NPK?

A

The amount of nitrogen, phosporus and potassium nutrients are in it.

44
Q

How can the cost of distillation be reduced?

A

Reducing the pressure, so the water boils below 100*C.

45
Q

How does reverse osmosis work?

A

By using membranes to separate the water and the salts dissolved in it.

46
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of reverse osmosis?

A

Positives:

  • It removes 98% if dissolved salts.
  • There is no heating, so it uses less energy.

Negatives;

  • Energy is needed to pressurise the water.
  • Corrosion by salty water pumps is also a problem.
47
Q

What is the process of treating waste water?

A
  1. Screening - large objects and grit are removed.
  2. Sedimentation - solid sediments (sludge) settles out from the mixture. Effluent is left.
  3. Aerobic biological treatment - useful bacteria feed on any remaining organic matter and harmful microorganisms. They are broken down aerobically.
48
Q

What does the sludge from waste water contain? How is it treated?

A

It contains organic matter, including:

  • Human waste
  • Suspended solids
  • Water
  • Dissolved compounds

It is digested anaerobically by microorganisms. The dried sewage sludge can then be used as fertiliser or as a renewable energy source.