Using Earth's resources
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Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Earth's resources, where they explored how natural resources are used and the importance of sustainability. It deepens their understanding by examining the processes involved in using Earth's resources, such as extraction and management, and their environmental impact. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Atmosphere and changing climate, where they will apply their knowledge to explore how resource use affects the atmosphere and contributes to climate change, reinforcing the need for sustainable practices.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Non-renewable energy resources cannot be replaced in our lifetime once they are used up.
- There is a limited supply of non-renewable energy resources.
- A chemical that is oxidised either gains oxygen or loses electrons.
- A chemical that is reduced either loses oxygen or gains electrons.
- A redox reaction is one in which both oxidation and reduction take place.
- The reactivity series for metals shows how vigorously metals react, compared to each other.
- The higher the position of a metal in the reactivity series, the more vigorously it is likely to react.
- A metal ore is typically rock that contains a metal in a form that can be extracted.
- Carbon can be used to extract some metals from their ores.
- Carbon is more reactive than copper or zinc, but less reactive than aluminium or magnesium.
Threads
Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Earth's resources, where they explored how natural resources are used and the importance of sustainability. It deepens their understanding by examining the processes involved in using Earth's resources, such as extraction and management, and their environmental impact. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Atmosphere and changing climate, where they will apply their knowledge to explore how resource use affects the atmosphere and contributes to climate change, reinforcing the need for sustainable practices.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Non-renewable energy resources cannot be replaced in our lifetime once they are used up.
- There is a limited supply of non-renewable energy resources.
- A chemical that is oxidised either gains oxygen or loses electrons.
- A chemical that is reduced either loses oxygen or gains electrons.
- A redox reaction is one in which both oxidation and reduction take place.
- The reactivity series for metals shows how vigorously metals react, compared to each other.
- The higher the position of a metal in the reactivity series, the more vigorously it is likely to react.
- A metal ore is typically rock that contains a metal in a form that can be extracted.
- Carbon can be used to extract some metals from their ores.
- Carbon is more reactive than copper or zinc, but less reactive than aluminium or magnesium.
Chemistry
Using Earth's resources
This unit covers crude oil, its role as a hydrocarbon source, and separation by fractional distillation. It explores cracking, metal reactivity, and extraction methods, including biological alternatives. Emphasis is on recycling, life-cycle assessments, and evaluating decisions.
7 lessons in unit
slide decks, worksheet PDFs, quizzes and lesson overviews. You can select individual lessons from the Using Earth's resources unit and download the resources you need, or download the entire unit now. See every unit listed in our AQA secondary chemistry curriculum and discover more of our teaching resources for AQA secondary chemistry programmes.