Topic 10 – Using Resources Flashcards
Alloy
A metal compound made by combining two or more metals together. This process is
carried out to give greater strength or resistance to corrosion.
Bioleaching
Bioleaching uses bacteria to produce leachate solutions that contain
metal compounds.
Borosilicate glass
Glass made from sand and boron trioxide. It melts at higher
temperatures than soda-lime glass.
Composite
Most composites are made of two materials, a matrix or binder surrounding
and binding together fibres or fragments of the other material, which is called the
reinforcement.
Corrosion
Corrosion is the destruction of materials by chemical reactions with substances
in the environment, e.g. rusting.
Desalination
The process of removing salt from seawater.
Displacement
A chemical reaction in which a more reactive element displaces a less
reactive element from its compound.
Electrolysis
The splitting up of an ionic compound using electricity. The electric current is
passed through a substance causing chemical reactions at the electrodes and the
decomposition of the materials.
Electroplating
Electroplating is the process of coating a metal with a thin layer of another
metal by electrolysis to improve the metal’s corrosion resistance.
Finite resources
A non-renewable resource that cannot be readily replaced by natural
means at a quick enough pace to keep up with consumption.
Galvanise
A process used to protect against corrosion by coating the metal with a
protective layer of zinc.
Ground water
Water held underground in the soil and crevices in rock.
Life cycle assessment (LCA)
Life cycle assessments are carried out to assess the
environmental impact of products in each of these stages: extracting and processing raw
materials, manufacturing and packaging, use and operation during its lifetime, disposal at the
end of its useful life.
NPK fertilisers
Fertilisers which contain compounds of nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium. The fertilisers improve agricultural productivity.
Ore
A rock from which metal can be extracted.
Phytomining
Phytomining uses plants to absorb metal compounds from the soil. The
plants are harvested and then burned to produce ash that contains the metal
compounds.
Potable water
Water that is safe to drink.
Raw materials
The basic material from which a product is made.
Renewable resources
A natural resource which can be used repeatedly and will not run out
due to being naturally replenished.
Sacrificial protection
The protection of iron or steel against corrosion by using a more
reactive metal. Zinc is often used as a sacrificial metal.
Soda-lime glass
Glass made by heating a mixture of sand, sodium carbonate and
limestone.
Sterilisation
The process used to remove bacteria or living microorganisms from
something. Used during the treatment of water.
Sustainable development
Development that meets the needs of current generations
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The Haber process
The process used to manufacture ammonia from hydrogen and
nitrogen gas.
