using resources

• Chemists provide new synthetic products which supplement or replace natural products to help reduce our reliance on natural or finite resources
• Pure water


  Water that is only molecules and nothing else
• Potable water


  Water that is safe to drink
• Potable water contains a small amount of dissolved substances
• What are the two types of resources mentioned?

  Finite and renewable resources
• What is the definition of "finite" resources?

  Resources used faster than they can be replaced
• Give an example of a finite resource.

  Coal
• What is the definition of "renewable" resources?

  Resources that can be replaced at the same rate
• Provide an example of a renewable resource.

  Wood
• What does "natural" resources mean?

  Materials found in nature
• Give an example of a natural resource.

  Wood
• What is the definition of "synthetic" resources?

  Materials made artificially to imitate natural substances
• Provide an example of a synthetic resource.

  Plastic
• How do humans use Earth's resources?

  For warmth, shelter, food, and transport
• How does chemistry play a role in resources?

  Chemistry enables the creation of materials
• Why wouldn't a passenger train be made of wood?

  Wood is not durable enough for trains
• What role do chemists play in synthetic products?

  They create products to reduce reliance on natural resources
• How does chemistry supplement agriculture?

  It helps food grow quickly and cheaply
• What is potable water?

  Water that is safe to drink
• What is pure water?

  Water that contains only water molecules
• What percentage of the Earth is covered by water?

  About 70%
• What percentage of Earth's water is safe to drink?

  Less than 2%
• Why can we run out of water?

  Fresh water is very limited
• What is the method used to produce potable water from fresh water?

  Filtered and sterilized
• What is the process of making sea water potable?

  Desalination
• What is distillation used for in water treatment?

  To separate pure water from impurities
• What is the purpose of the condenser in distillation?

  To cool and condense water vapor
• How can you prove collected water is pure?

  Test its boiling point at 100°C
• What is the first step in waste water treatment?

  Sewage passes through a grid
• What is anaerobic digestion in waste water treatment?

  Process to treat sewage sludge
• What is aerobic digestion in waste water treatment?

  Good bacteria eat harmful bacteria
• Are metals finite or renewable resources?

  Finite resources
• What is a quarry?

  A site where metal ores are dug out
• What environmental impacts does mining for metals have?

  Destroys habitats and produces waste
• What is bioleaching?

  Using bacteria to extract metals from ores
• What is phytomining?

  Growing plants to extract metals from soil
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of phytomining?

  Benefits:

  • Avoids large-scale mining
  • Less environmental impact
  • Uses low-grade ores

  
  

  Drawbacks:

  • Slow process
  • Requires suitable land
  • Limited metal production
• What is sustainable development?

  Meeting current needs without compromising future needs
• What are the stages in a life cycle assessment (LCA)?

  1. Raw material extraction
  2. Manufacture
  3. Use/Reuse/Maintenance
  4. Recycle/Waste management
• What is the purpose of a life cycle assessment?

  To assess environmental impact of products