using resources

• What are ceramics usually made from?

  High melting point solids, not carbon-based
• What can some ceramics be made from?

  Clay
• How is clay transformed into ceramics?

  By firing it at high temperatures
• What happens to dry, unfired clay when dug out of the ground?

  It can be moulded into different shapes
• Can ceramics be moulded when wet?

  Yes, they can be moulded when wet
• How is most glass made?

  By heating lime, silica, sand, and sodium carbonate
• What is the melting point comparison between soft glass and borosilicate glass?

  Soft glass has a lower melting point
• What is the composition of fibreglass?

  Fibres of glass embedded in a resin matrix
• What is the main use of fibreglass?

  Used for boats, cars, and surfboards
• What is the reinforcement in carbon fibre composites?

  Strong polymer matrix with low weight
• What is concrete made from?

  Aggregate embedded in cement
• What is wood considered in terms of material composition?

  A natural composite of cellulose fibres
• What influences a polymer's properties?

  How it's made and what it's made from
• What is low-density (LD) polythene made from?

  Ethene at low temperature and pressure
• What is high-density (HD) polythene made from?

  Ethene at high temperature and pressure
• What are thermoplastics?

  Polymers that can be melted and remoulded
• What are thermosetting polymers?

  Polymers with strong cross-links that are rigid
• What are the properties of ceramics?

  • High melting points
  • Usually solids
  • Not made from carbon-based compounds
• What are the properties of metals?

  • Ductile
  • Malleable
  • Conduct electricity
• Which material is best for a ship's hull?

  Low carbon steel
• Why is low carbon steel suitable for ship hulls?

  It is tough and water-resistant
• What is the main disadvantage of pure metals?

  They are often too weak
• How are alloys made?

  By adding another element to the metal
• What is bronze made from?

  Copper and tin
• What is brass made from?

  Copper and zinc
• What happens when iron rusts?

  It reacts with oxygen and water
• What is the chemical equation for rust formation?

  Iron + oxygen + water → hydrated iron(III) oxide
• What is the protective layer formed on aluminium?

  A compound that prevents further reaction
• What are two main ways to prevent rusting?

  Barrier methods and sacrificial methods
• What is the sacrificial method of rust prevention?

  Using a more reactive metal with iron
• What are natural resources?

  Materials from the earth, sea, and air
• What are renewable resources?

  Resources that reform at a similar rate
• What are finite resources?

  Resources that cannot be replaced quickly
• What is fractional distillation used for?

  To produce usable products from crude oil
• What can tables, charts, and graphs provide in resource analysis?

  Insights into different resources
• What are the social and economic effects of extracting finite resources?

  Creates jobs but can harm the environment
• What is sustainable development?

  Development that meets present needs without harming future generations
• What is bioleaching?

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

  Using plants to absorb and extract copper
• What is solution mining?

  Pumping solutions into copper ore to extract copper