U4L8 Metals and Minerals in Smart Devices I Flashcards
What is the definition of rare-earth elements?
A group of metallic elements in the lanthanide series that are difficult and dangerous to extract
How many different elements are in smart phones ?
75
What part does lithium play in smartphones?
It is one of the main primary components of recharge lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones.
Why are lithium ion batteries not safe?
Lithium ion batteries have caused numerous fires and explosions when they’ve been mishandled or damaged
What are lithium-ion batteries made up of?
an anode, a cathode, a separator, an electrolyte, and two current collectors, one positive and one negative
Where is the lithium located in the battery?
In the anode and the cathode
How does the lithium ion battery work?
The electrolyte carries positively charged lithium ions from the anode to the cathode. This movement of ions produces free electrons in the anode, which in turn creates a charge at the positive current collector. From there, the electrical current flows into the smartphone (or other device) and through the circuits to the negative current collector.
What role does cobalt play in smartphones?
Cobalt is a key component in lithium-ion batteries
What are most lithium-ion batteries made up of?
Most lithium-ion batteries are based on a mixture of lithium and cobalt such as lithium cobalt oxide or lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide.
Other than inside batteries, where can cobalt be found?
- paint
- jet engines
- and other products (so specific, I know)
How many grams of cobalt do smartphones have?
Around 8.5 grams (0.3 ounces)
How many grams of cobalt does smartphones have, in pennies?
3 pennies
How many kilograms of cobalt does an electric car have?
6.8 kilograms (15 pounds)
How many kilograms of cobalt does an electric car have, in milk gallons?
2 gallons of milk
Silicon is the ______ most abundant element in Earth’s crust?
second
What type of element is silicon?
Non-metallic
How is silicon found in nature?
Pure
Where is silicon found in?
Silica (silicon dioxide)
Silicon is a main component of quartz crystals.
Was gonna make this true or false but then I got lazy
In electronics, what is silicon is used make?
- computer chips
- transistors
- silicon diodes
Why is silicon used to make electronic circuits and switching devices?
It is a semiconductor
What is a semiconductor?
A crystal material that is more able to conduct electricity as its temperature goes up.
What can silicon chips do?
They can be half inch squares yet contain millions of transistors providing control and memory functions
What is the screen of a device made out of?
Primary: Silica Secondary: The mixed with ceramic materials and potassium
What are transparent circuits made out of?
Primary: tin
Comes from: Cassiterite
What is the backlighting of a device made out of?
Primary: Gallium
Comes From: Bauxite
What is used to make the screen’s conductive coating and LEDs?
Primary: Indium and germanium
Comes From: Sphalerite
…
Sphalerite is the source of indium (used in the screen’s conductive coating) and germanium (used in displays and LEDs).
What is chalcopyrite the source of?
Copper
What is used to make electrical pathways through a device?
Primary: Silver
Comes From: Tetrahedrite
…
Tetrahedrite is a primary source of silver. Silver-based inks on compos- ite boards create electrical pathways through a device.
What is used to make radio frequencies and power amplifiers?
Primary: Arsenic
Comes From: Arsenopyrite
What is added to make capacitors to regulate voltage and improve the audio quality of a device?
Primary: Tantalum
Comes From: tantalite
What is used to make heat sinks and provides the mass for mobile phone vibrations
Primary: Tungsten
Comes from: wolframite
What is main source of lithium?
Spodumene
What is graphite used for in a device?
Anodes of lithium batteries because of its electrical and thermal conductivity.
What is bastnaesite the source of?
Rare-earth elements, which is used in speakers and microphones
What makes up the positive and negative parts of a battery?
Positive: lithium
Negative: graphite
Where are silicon and tantalum found?
In the circuit board
Where are silicon and bauxite found?
On the screen
Where is bastnasite found?
Speakers
How does mining rare-earth minerals affect the earth’ surface?
A large amount of waste is produced in the concentration, purification, and separation of rare-earth minerals. This waste pollutes the air and water around the mining cite with sulfur oxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, radiative substances, heavy metals, acids, fluorides, ammonium, chromium, and lead.
How does mining gold affect earth’s surface?
A gold mine contaminates land and water with mercury and cyanide, both of which are toxic to the environment. Extracting and processing the gold of a single ring can generate up to 40 thousand pounds of waste.
True or False.
Gold mining is one of the most destructive industries in the world.
True
How does lithium mining affect the environment?
In addition to using so much water, lithium mining often leaks toxic chemicals in the water supply, killing organisms.
What does lithium mining require?
Lots of water
In on region of Chile, mining accounts for ___ percent of water usage.
65
In a lithium mining operation, how much fish was found dead?
One study found contaminated fish up to 150 miles downstream fro a lithium mining operation.
What does aluminum mining do to Earth’s surface?
Aluminum mines strip all native vegetation in the mining region. Resulting in a loss of habitat, food for wild life, and soil erosion. The toxic waste that remains is deposited into excavated mine pits, where it ultimately seep into aquifers, contaminating local water sources.
The Indonesian island of Bangka provides over _____ of the world’s tin.
30%
Tin operations in Bangka happen in the water, how does it affect Earth’s surface?
Mining operations in the waters off the island have destroyed up to 60% of the local coral reef, seagrass, and mangroves.
What is the debit on of effluent?
Liquid waste
What is the definition of depleted?
Exhausted
What is the definition of e-waste?
Electronics that have been discarded or are near the end of their useful life
What is the definition is tailings?
Material left over after the valuable resources have been removed from ore
Mining generally produces air pollution in two main ways. What are they?
- dust and debris
- fossil fuels
What do mines use water for?
Processing ores, controlling dust, and for extracting minerals
Why are tailing ponds good and bad?
Tailing ponds are a way to “clean up” tailings, however, these can fail causing toxic waste spills, which are harmful to the local ecosystem, waterways, and humans.
How is copper used in cell phones?
in the circuitry
Which of the following is a negative impact of lithium mining on the environment?
requires large quantities of water
