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Chemistry

Global challenges

Finite and renewable resources

Finite and renewable resources

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Chemistry practicals

Investigating distillation methods

Investigating the composition of inks

Investigating acids and alkalis

Preparing soluble and insoluble salts

Investigating electrolysis

Investigating rates of reaction

Fuels and Earth science

Hydrocarbons and crude oil

Combustion and pollution

Cracking

Evolution of the Earth's atmosphere

Greenhouse gases and climate change

Rates of reaction and energy changes

Calculating rates of reactions

Catalysts

Endothermic and exothermic reactions

Energy changes in reactions

Bond energy calculations - Higher

Groups in the periodic table

Group 1: properties and reactivity

Group 7: properties and reactions

Group 0: properties and reactivity

Extracting metals and equilibria

The reactivity series of metals

Extracting metals

Biological methods of metal extraction - Higher

Reducing the use of resources

Life cycle assessments

Reversible reactions and equilibria

Position of equilibrium - Higher

Chemical changes

Acids, bases and pH

Strong and weak acids - Higher

Reactions of acids

Electrolysis

States of matter and mixtures

Changes of state

Substance types and determining purity

Filtration and crystallisation

Chromatography: phases and calculations

Potable water, treatment and purification

Key concepts

Chemical equations

Ionic equations and half equations - Higher

Hazards, risks and precautions

The history of the atom

The atom and isotopes

Calculating relative masses

Calculating relative atomic mass - Higher

The history of the periodic table

Electronic configuration

Ions and their formation

Ionic bonding: properties of compounds and naming

Covalent bonding

Giant covalent substances

Metallic bonding and alloys

Conservation of mass

Molecular and empirical formulae

Mole calculations and Avogadro's constant - Higher

Concentrations of solutions

Limiting reactants and masses - Higher

Practical skills

Measuring techniques

Safety and ethics

Designing experiments

Methods of heating substances

Working with electronics

Random sampling and sampling methods

Comparing results using percentage change

Working scientifically

The scientific method

Science communication and ethics

Evaluating risks and hazards

Collecting data

Processing and presenting data

Units and equations

Structuring a scientific report and drawing conclusions

Uncertainties and evaluations

Explainer Video

Tutor: Aisha

Summary

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Finite and renewable resources

In a nutshell

The Earth has a finite (limited) supply of resources, which must be used sustainably. Sustainable means using resources in a way that minimises harm to the environment and leaves enough resources for future generations. 



Resources

Definition

Resources are useful materials. Humans compete with other animals for natural resources. Natural resources are not man-made and come from the Earth itself. 


Example

Some natural resources include:

  • Plants
  • Water
  • Space


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Fossil fuels 

Definition

Fossils fuels are fossils, formed from the remains of dead organisms millions of years ago, which are used as fuel. Fossil fuels are natural resources. Coal and crude oil are fossil fuels that humans use for:

  • Electricity
  • Heat
  • Engine fuel 

Fossil fuels are finite resources because they are non-renewable. This means they cannot be remade as quickly as they are used up, as they take millions of years to make. Fossil fuels are unsustainable as they release pollution when burned. Pollution refers to harmful substances in the environment, which can harm humans, animals and plants.

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Renewable resources

Definition

Renewable resources are useful materials that do not run out. Renewable sources are remade at the same rate that they are used up. These resources are therefore more sustainable than fossil fuels. Renewable energy resources are used to generate electricity.


Example

Some examples of renewable energy resources are:

  • Solar energy from the sun
  • Wind energy from wind turbines
  • Geothermal energy from the Earth's internal heat


Another benefit of these energy sources over fossil fuels is that they produce very little pollution. However, they can be less reliable than fossil fuels. 

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Example

The speed and strength of wind is not always enough to produce energy in wind turbines. It can also be very expensive to produce and run the new equipment required for wind turbines.



Biofuel

Biofuels are renewable fuels made of living matter, usually plants.


Advantages of biofuels

disadvantages of biofuel

Sulfur-free so they do not contribute to sulfur dioxide emissions.
Deforestation required to grow crops.
Reduce landfill waste.
Vehicle engines have to be modified.
Reduce carbon dioxide emissions, as the carbon dioxide released during combustion is equal to the carbon dioxide taken in when the plants grow.
Fossil fuels burned during production, which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere so biofuels are not carbon neutral.


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Read more

Learn with Basics

Learn the basics with theory units and practise what you learned with exercise sets!
Length:
Recycling and limited resources

Unit 1

Recycling and limited resources

Renewable and non-renewable energy

Unit 2

Renewable and non-renewable energy

Jump Ahead

Score 80% to jump directly to the final unit.

Optional

Finite and renewable resources

Unit 3

Finite and renewable resources

Final Test

Test reviewing all units to claim a reward planet.

Create an account to complete the exercises

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

What does sustainable mean?

Sustainable means using resources in a way which minimises harm to the environment and leaves enough resources for future generations.

What are fossil fuels?

Fossil fuels are natural energy resources that humans use for electricity, heat and engine fuel. Crude oil and coal are examples of fossil fuels.

What does renewable mean?

Renewable means that it can be replaced as it is being used.

What is a resource?

A resource is a useful material.

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