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Metals module activities
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The following is a short research activity that I use to teach the uses of the elements iron, aluminium and copper. It also covers the properties of the non-metals that are required by the syllabus. The activity is differentiated by choice of outcome. I generally give several ideas e.g. use spider diagrams, tables and so on to help students make their decisions about how to record the information.
Text for student worksheet:
On the next fresh page of your exercise book, put the title "metals and non-metals". Copy this introduction (or preferably write it in your own words):
There are about 103 elements, 92 of which are naturally occurring. Over ¾ of the elements are metals. Less than ¼ are non-metals which generally have low melting and boiling points. At room temperature, over half of the non-metals are gases and one (bromine) is a liquid.
Make appropriate notes to suit yourself for the following tasks:
Use the available science books and your own knowledge to find out the main uses of copper, iron and aluminium. Give reasons as to why these metals are used in these applications.
Next, look up some details about bromine, carbon (in the forms of graphite and diamond), oxygen, sulphur and mercury. You are expected to recognise these chemicals from a variety of clues about their physical properties such as state or whether they conduct electricity.
The following activity is one that I use to teach the production of aluminium. Students research the meanings of basic words relevant to electrolysis, such as cathode, cation and so on. They are then shown a video. That is the first lesson. Next lesson, they are given the following worksheet:
ALUMINIUM
 Write the title 'Aluminium' on the next fresh page of your science book. Cut out the diagram and stick it on the page sideways
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