Unit 2b.1

Earth’s Mineral Resources • Metals have been highly prized by mankind for thousands of years.  Tools making, art, coins, energy transmission, jewelry.

 In this section you will learn about Earth’s mineral resources and how some minerals are converted to useful metals.

B.1 Sources and Uses of Metals  Human needs for resources, must be met by chemical supplies present in the Earth.  Different layers of the Earth supply different resources.  Layers are:  Atmosphere  Lithosphere  Hydrosphere

Atmosphere  The Atmosphere provides Nitrogen (78%) Oxygen (21%) Neon Argon Helium  H2O     

 CO2

Hydrosphere  Earth’s hydrosphere includes all of Earth’s water.  The hydrosphere provides some dissolved minerals  A few include NaCl, Mg, S, Ca and other elements as ions

Lithosphere  Solid part of the Earth  The Lithosphere provides the greatest variety of chemical resources.  Petroleum  Metal-bearing ores

 Three sections:   

Crust Mantle Core

Lithosphere: Earth’s Crust  Topmost section of the lithosphere  Silicates of Al, Na, Fe, Ca, Mg, K, and    

other metals. Petroleum Carbonates Oxides Sulfides

Lithosphere: Earth’s Mantle  40-2900 km below our feet  Silicates of Mg and Fe  Lava

Lithosphere: Earth’s Core  Center of the Earth  Fe and Ni  Current theory- core is molten  This molten spinning core creates the Earth’s Magnetic Field  Protects us from space debris and solar radiation.

Mining  Earth’s deepest mines barely scratch surface of lithosphere (crust)

 If Earth was an apple, we would only be mining the peel.

 Earth’s resources are not evenly distributed

throughout the Earth.  No relationship between a countries supply of resources and its size or its population.  Particular regions of the world are predominate suppliers of certain resources.   

Oil Diamonds Copper

Let’s Look at how resources are distributed:  Look at page 136  What metal might Australia wish to obtain    

from America What metal could Australia trade with the U.S. to obtain the resources in question 1? From what nation would the U.S. obtain nickel? Give examples of two trade agreement China could make to obtain iron ore. What metals might Canada seek to obtain through trade?

Challenges in Mining  The amount of useful ore at a site  The percentage of metal in the ore

   

 Ore: a naturally occurring rock or mineral that can be mined and metal or other materials can be extracted  Minerals: Solid compounds containing the element or group of elements of interest. Type of mining operation Distance between mine and processing site Metal’s supply vs. demand Environmental impact

Copper       

One of the most widely used materials Second only to silver in electrical conductivity. Low cost Corrosion resistant Very ductile Most common metal for electrical wiring. Brass, Bronze, and other alloys are copper based compounds

Copper Cycle  Copper Ore  Reduced to Copper Metal  Furnaces

 Molded into:  Electrical wires, pipes, roofing, coins, ammunition, food preparation machinery, radiators for cars.

 Either discarded or recycled  21% of copper recycled

Mining Copper  Ores rich in copper desired.  Ancient technologies limited copper extraction to ores rich (80%) in copper.  Modern technologies, ore with as little as 1% used.  Copper rich ores rare.  Will future copper supplies be rare?

Homework  Go to Quia.com  Complete the homework: unit 2B

Next Class • Section 2B.3 and 2B.5 •Prepare for lab on 12/1 and 12/2 •Windsock Project due on 12/1 and 12/2