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 their lifetime.
What are the stages in an LCA
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 at a faster or the same rate it’s being used up.
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.
