NEW AQA GCSE Trilogy (2016) Chemistry - Extracting Metals

This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the ‘Chemical changes and electrolysis’ SoW.

For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience

The first task is for pupils to research, either using their phones or using laptops, the dates at which different metals were discovered. Once they have found the dates and filled in their table, they should consider the link between the reactivity of the metal and when it was discovered. After a class discussion of their ideas, students are introduced the idea of a metal ore.

The next task is for pupils to watch a video and answer questions on metal extraction, the answers to which are included in the PowerPoint presentation. An additional link to the video can be found here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zv7f3k7/video

Next, pupils are shown how carbon is able to reduce a metal oxide in order to extract the pure metal. A general formula is shown to students, using which they are asked to write the word and balanced symbol equation for the reaction between copper oxide/iron oxide/lead oxide and carbon. Once completed students can assess their work against the answers provided.

The next part of the lesson focuses on the problems of metal extraction, particularly to the environment. Students will firstly brainstorm their ideas of how metal extraction can cause problems, then some examples are revealed using the PowerPoint presentation and the need for recycling is also explained.

Students will then need to complete a progress check, a set of questions to assess their knowledge of what they have learned this lesson. The answers to which are included in the PowerPoint presentations so students can self-assess or peer-assess work.

All resources are included at the end of the presentation. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know in the comments section and any feedback would be appreciated :)