Scientific understandment of Earth
Earth's structure Depth (km) Component Layer Density (g/cm3) 0-35 Crust 2.2-2.9 35-2890 Mantle 3.4-5.6 2890-5100 Outer core 9.9-12.2 5100-6378 Inner core 2.8-13.1 Scientific understanding of Earth's internal structure is based on extrapolations of physical evidence which has come from the first few kilometres of Earth's surface, samples brought to the surface from deeper depths by volcanic activity and analysis of seismic waves that pass through it. Also the force exerted by Earth's gravity can be used to calculate its mass, and by estimating the volume of the planet, its average density can be calculated. Astronomy can also calculate Earth's mass from its orbit and effects on nearby planetary bodies. Observation of rocks, bodies of water and the atmosphere allow estimation of the mass, volume and density of rocks to a certain depth. There is a danger in the Earth's mantle because there is a vast reservoir of carbon stashed beneath the Earth's crust and it could be released by a major volcanic eruption, unleashing a mass extinction of a kind that last occurred 200 million years ago. The worry is that if just a part of this gigantic reservoir is quickly released as carbon dioxide it that could create a runaway greenhouse effect. Earth's Atmosphere Past atmosphere: early atmosphere was probably formed from the gases given out by volcanoes. It is believed
Fire safety research coursework. Experiment making a fire extinguisher
A fire needs oxygen, heat and fuel. The most common causes of fires are: Open flames-candles, matches, cigarettes. Arson-purposely setting fires to buildings and other things Electrical equipment-damaged electrical equipment, overloaded plugs Cooking- unattended cooking appliances A fire extinguisher is an device which contains chemicals that can be sprayed onto a small fire to control or extinguish it. Different colours are used for different types of fire extinguishers: Water-Red This fire extinguisher is used the most and is used for class A fires. Foam-Cream These are more expensive than water extinguishers but can be used for two types of fires. These two types of fires are A+B. Dry powder-Blue This fire extinguisher can be used on fires class A,B&C but they are best for fires class B. Carbon dioxide (CO2) - Black A black fire extinguisher is ideal for class E fires but can also be used for fires of class B but when these are used there is a chance that the fire could re-ignite. Halon-Green - This fire extinguisher is no longer legal except for a few exceptions such as the police and Aircraft. They are rechargeable and contain recycled Halon 1211 with Nitrogen as a propellant. They are used for fires class D. Wet chemical fire extinguishers are designed for class F fires but are also effective for class A fires. Types of fires: Class
An essay to discuss the relationship between the position of a metal in the Reactivity Series and the method of extraction of that metal from its ore
An essay to discuss the relationship between the position of a metal in the Reactivity Series and the method of extraction of that metal from its ore In this essay I am going to research metals and their methods of extraction from their ores. I will then compare metals lower in the Reactivity Series to those higher in the Reactivity Series to observe the relationships to their methods of extraction from their ores. I will also observe the times of the historical discovery of the metals and relate them to their methods of extraction from their ores. Gold was discovered naturally many years ago, in the sea, when searching for flint for tools. However gold was too soft for tools, so it wasn't very useful. Gold is a very unreactive metal found very low down in the Reactivity Series, which is very easy to extract from its ore. It is also found native in and by streams, which makes it expensive as it is difficult to find as you have to extract from sea-water all across the world. Copper, also unreactive, is higher in the Reactivity Series than Gold. It was also found native in streams and is hard, which made it good for tools those years ago. However copper is scarce so it can also be extracted from its ore, malachite, which is a copper carbonate. Copper was extracted in this way quite by accident, many years ago, when clay pots were heated over a fire. The fire was
We are being advised to reduce our carbon footprint. Discuss the significance of this for the individual and for industry.
We are being advised to reduce our carbon footprint. Discuss the significance of this for the individual and for industry. What is a carbon footprint for an individual? 1 "A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases produced in our day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation etc. The carbon footprint is a measurement of all greenhouse gases we individually produce and has units of tonnes (or kg) of carbon dioxide equivalent." basically everything we do in our day to day lives affects our carbon footprint from sending a text message to driving a car, and it is starting to take its toll on the world. Why should you bother trying to reduce your carbon footprint? The answer to this is quite simple if you don't bother trying to reduce our carbon footprint the CO2 will build up in the atmosphere and the earth will heat up, causing all sorts of problems from ice caps melting to diseases being able to thrive in places that they couldn't live before, eventually causing life on earth to change altogether. 2 "Our industrial society is producing greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, which trap heat in the earth's atmosphere, which causes global warming or climate change as it's become known more recently. This in this
To answer the question of weather or not hydrogen can be the fuel of the future, we first must understand what hydrogen is and to find out how it can be used to create energy.
Index Page 2 - Index Page 3 - Introduction Page 3 - What is Hydrogen? Page 3-4 - history of Hydrogen Page 4 - Why do we need another energy source Page 4-5 - Scientific Theory Page 5 - Fuel cells in Depth Page 6 - The Downsides Page 6 - Conclusion Is Hydrogen the fuel of the Future? In today's fast paced world we always try to better the current traditional things, whether it be a test score, A lap time or in this case the source of our electricity. With the dawn of the green movement, the focus is to find cleaner, more efficient and cost effective methods to keep our society running as expected. There are many potential methods, and with billions being spent on them each year in the hope of finding the perfect energy source. In the following case study, I discuss if Hydrogen could be this perfect source of clean, efficient and cost effective energy. What is hydrogen? To answer the question of weather or not hydrogen can be the fuel of the future, we first must understand what hydrogen is and to find out how it can be used to create energy. Hydrogen is a naturally occurring gas found commonly in great abundance. Throughout the known universe. It's so common that it makes up 75% of the universe, by volume, and it appears in a large number of compounds, especially various organic materials such as water . The Atomic number of hydrogen Is one, and is simply
Are humans to blame for Global warming or is it a natural phenomenon?
Contents page . Introduction (page 3) 2. Scientific background (page 4-5) 3. Arguments for global warming being caused by humanity (page 6) 4. Arguments for global warming being caused natural phenomenon (page 7) 5. Conclusion (page 8) 6. Bibliography (page 9) Introduction The question I have chosen to answer is 'Are humans to blame for Global warming or is it a natural phenomenon?' I have chosen this question because this question raises numerous arguments that need to be addressed and solved. Global warming is a matter that is featured in my everyday life such as newspapers, books, news, etc. the main issue is the debate on whether global warming is man-made or the cause of a natural phenomenon such as the sunspot theory. In this case study I will be assessing and evaluating the evidence which I have collected in order for me to find out the true cause of the worldwide epidemic that is global warming. Research that I have done shows that global temperatures are trending upwards. So can assume that global warming is in effect however we have yet to find a definite decision as to who is the cause of global warming. Many people may argue that global warming is an idea theorised by 'tree-huggers' but reports have shown evidence that may shed some light on what global-warming actually is and the so-called 'greenhouse effect' The illustration above shows the
Importance of electrolysis in our daily lives
Importance of electrolysis in our daily lives INTRODUCTION In 1800, two Englishmen, William Nicholson and Anthony Carlisle, used an electric current to decompose water into its element, hydrogen and oxygen. This is an example of electrolysis. Electrolysis is the process of using electricity to break down or decompose a compound. It has a few main components - a battery, electrodes and an electrolyte. There are many applications of electrolysis. Electroplating is one of the main areas where electrolysis is implemented. ELECTROPLATING It is the coating of one metal over the other which is called electroplating. It is done for few reasons to benefit us: . Resistance to corrosion and increased life span 2. Provision of insulation 3. Better appearance for e.g. chrome, nickel or silver can produce a mirror like finish Resistance to corrosion and increased life span: A coat of one less valuable metal on a more valuable metal can be very beneficial. For example if zinc is electroplated on iron then it would protect iron from getting corroded and would ensure proper usage. Provision of insulation: Insulating materials can be electroplated for safety of living organisms. Plastic for example can be electroplated on copper or aluminum for protection from shocks. Better appearance: this one of the most common method used for everyday life coating. Electroplating of silver,
Using Simple cells to find an order of reactivity in metals
Using Simple cells to find an order of reactivity in metals In electrochemical cells a chemical reaction occurs in the "cell" causing an electrical current to be generated. The electrochemical cell is made by dipping two metals into a solution which allows electricity to pass through it. In this experiment a solution containing ammonium chloride is used. The Aim The aim of this science assessed practice is to use my data to confirm the position of the metals in the reactivity series. Apparatus Voltmeter 2 leads with crocodile clips Beaker (approximately 100cm3) Emery paper Ammonium chloride solution Strips of the following metals: Zinc Copper Magnesium Lead Tin Aluminium Nickel Procedure . Clean the metals with emery paper. 2. Half fill the beaker with ammonium chloride solution. 3. Connect two wires to the voltmeter. 4. Using crocodile clips connect a piece of one metal to wire and a different metal to the other wire. 5. Dip the two pieces of metal into the solution and record the HIGHEST reading given in the table 1. 6. Repeat steps 1-5 testing all the metals as indicated in the results table 1 (N.B. If the voltmeter reads a negative value make a note of the sign.) DIAGRAM OF APPARATUS Fair Test I measured the voltage and sign the positive or negative value in order to find the reactivity series. The only variable in this practice is the type of
Life's Essential Elements: Chlorine & Iodine.
Life's Essential Elements: Chlorine & Iodine Chlorine and iodine, both halogens, have important uses in everyday life particularly in industries. Their uses are described on pages 6-8. Both these elements had been discovered around 200 years ago and have been used ever since however methods of obtaining these elements have changed throughout the years. Extracting Chlorine Several processes can be used to obtain chlorine the main one being electrolysis of sodium chloride solution known as brine, a method used by chlor-alkali industries. Electrolysis can be achieved using three types of electrolytic cells namely the diaphragm cell, mercury cell and membrane cell. `The main difference in these technologies lies in the manner by which the chlorine gas and the sodium hydroxide are prevented from mixing with each other.'^(1) [image002.jpg] [image004.jpg] [image006.jpg] In diaphragm cells brine flows through the separator (made of asbestos/polymer modified asbestos composite) to the cathode compartment. In membrane cells the separator is an ion exchange membrane however mercury cells contain no diaphragm or membrane, instead the mercury itself acts as a separator. All modern cells use anodes made of titanium coated with `an electrocatalytic layer of mixed oxides' and are known as DSAs (dimensionally stable anodes) however the cathode material varies for each.
Investigate the factors that affect the mass of Copper deposited on the Copper Cathode during the Electrolysis of Copper (11) Sulphate Solution using Copper Electrodes.
An Experiment to investigate the factors that affect the mass of Copper deposited on the Copper Cathode during the Electrolysis of Copper (11) Sulphate Solution using Copper Electrodes Background Information Electrolysis is the decomposition of a molten or aqueous compound by electricity. Electrolysis occurs only in liquids called electrolytes. Electrolytes are compounds, which conduct electricity when molten or dissolved in water, but not when they are in a solid state as the oppositely charged ions are held together by strong ionic bonds in a giant lattice and this means electricity cannot pass through it and the ions are unable to move. If electrolytes are molten or dissolved in water their ions are free to move, and the movement of ions in liquids is key in electrolysis. Electrolysis takes place in an electrolyte cell. The diagram below shows the apparatus used in the electrolysis of molten or aqueous ionic compounds. The electrodes (anode and cathode) are known as conducting rods. Normally they are made out of platinum or graphite as these substances are chemically unreactive and will not interfere with the experiment. They are inert electrodes. However in this experiment we are using copper electrodes. Copper electrodes are active electrodes and these metal electrodes take part in electrolysis. Copper electrodes are used in industry to obtain pure copper. The
