Using Resources Flashcards
(13 cards)
What is potable water?
Water safe to drink (low microbes, dissolved substances). Not pure – contains minerals.
How is potable water produced in the UK?
- Filtering + sterilising (chlorine/UV) freshwater. 2. Desalination (reverse osmosis) for seawater.
What is desalination?
Removing salt from seawater via reverse osmosis or distillation (needs energy).
Name the stages of wastewater treatment.
- Screening 2. Sedimentation 3. Aerobic digestion 4. Anaerobic digestion (biogas).
What is a life cycle assessment (LCA)?
Evaluating environmental impact of a product across extraction, manufacture, use, and disposal.
Why recycle metals?
Reduces energy use, mining waste, and landfill (vs. extracting from ores).
What is corrosion?
Oxidation of metals (e.g., iron → hydrated iron(III) oxide [rust]).
How to prevent corrosion?
Barriers (paint, oil) or sacrificial protection (Triple-only method excluded).
Why are alloys harder than pure metals?
Different-sized atoms disrupt layers, reducing sliding.
Name two common alloys.
Steel (iron + carbon), brass (copper + zinc).
What is ammonia used for?
Production of fertilisers (e.g., ammonium nitrate).
What are NPK fertilisers?
Contain nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) for plant growth.
Why is sustainable development important?
To preserve finite resources (e.g., fossil fuels) for future generations.
