Year 9 Science · Unit 2 · Lesson 04
Foundation Worksheet
Learning Goals
Odd one out
Circle the odd one out in each group. Then give your reason in the last column.
| # | Group | Odd one out and reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haematite · Recycled aluminium · Bauxite · Copper ore | |
| 2 | Biodegradable · Finite · Non-renewable · Cannot be replaced | |
| 3 | Timber · Wool · Coal · Cotton |
Order the waste hierarchy
Number the steps from 1 (most preferred) to 6 (least preferred).
| Order | Waste hierarchy step |
|---|---|
| Recycle the material | |
| Avoid making the waste at all | |
| Dispose of it in landfill | |
| Recover energy by burning it | |
| Reuse the item | |
| Reduce the amount used |
1. Define the term finite resource and give one example from Australia’s mining industry.
2. A school canteen throws out 300 plastic cups a week. Use the waste hierarchy to rank these options from most to least preferred: (A) landfill; (B) switch to cups that are washed and used again; (C) a recycling bin; (D) burn the cups to make electricity. Give a reason for your first choice.
Ranking (letters): ______ > ______ > ______ > ______
Data: energy saved by recycling
Recycling usually takes less energy than producing a material from freshly mined raw materials. Producing 1 tonne of aluminium from bauxite ore uses about 15,000 kWh of electricity.
| Material | Energy saved (%) |
|---|---|
| Glass | about 30 |
| Aluminium | 95 |
| PET plastic | 70 |
Source: figures quoted in Lesson 4.
3. Calculate the energy needed to make 1 tonne of aluminium from recycled cans.
Answer kWh
4. Explain why recycling aluminium is more sustainable than mining new bauxite ore. Give two reasons, one using Table 1.
5. Suggest why recycling glass saves much less energy than recycling aluminium.
6. A student says: “If everyone recycled, we would never run out of metals.” Explain why recycling alone cannot stop finite resources from running out.