Resources Flashcards
What different ways can humans use the Earth’s resources?
Plants, fish, water, mining, rocks.
Give 3 resources we get from the Earth.
Water, fossil fuels, rocks.
Define finite resource.
A resource which will eventually run out.
Define renewable resource.
A resource which will never run out, and can be used forever.
How do you produce potable water?
Filtering.
How do you sterilise water?
Heat the water and filter it.
How do you desalinate water?
Evaporate the water and condense it to remove any salts.
Why do we need to develop new methods to extract materials from the Earth?
We are running out of resources so need to find ways of extracting materials of low yield.
What is bioleaching?
The process of extracting metals using bacteria.
What is phytomining?
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.
How do we assess the impact of an object?
Look at:
- the resources used in the production.
- the use of the object.
- Whether it is recyclable or can be disposed of.
How do we analyse a life-cycle assessment?
Look at:
- The energy requirements.
- The environmental impact.
How can you reduce the amount of resources used?
Reusing or recycling materials.
What is rusting?
When iron reacts with water and oxygen to produce iron oxide.
How can we prevent corrosion?
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.
What is the structure of an alloy?
A distorted structure with no layers. The molecules are of different sizes so do not slide.
How does the structure of an alloy relate to its properties?
There is no sliding of the layers, meaning it is hard.
What is the Haber process used for?
Producing ammonia.
In the Haber process, where do the nitrogen and hydrogen come from?
From the air.