Non-metals (carbon)

Preparation and Planning

Much of the material in this lesson serves as context e.g. discussion of the global consideration of oil resources, and should serve as an interesting source of information for further lessons on related topics. Indeed, much of the content serves as useful Citizenship-led material, fostering debate and a broadening of the scientific context.

Students should have some familiarity with the periodic table and the properties of non-metals before commencing this lesson. Consider adding further content on inorganic and organic compounds of carbon for more able students and drawing on some of the materials supporting Defence Dynamics lessons on Fractional Distillation and Atmospheric Gases.

Photocopying of student worksheets and provision of a projector is the only prior preparation required. All activities can be carried out in a laboratory or ordinary classroom and require no prior preparation for the room.

The associated MOD topic lends colour to the lesson and can be pulled in to a number of the episodes. Support students' understanding of this topic by printing out topical news stories and researching similar work carried out internationally.

About the MOD Topic

At the end of the Persian Gulf War (Jan-Feb 1991) retreating Iraqi troops set fire to well after well in the oil fields of Kuwait, sabotaging the resources and economy of the country and causing 5 billion dollars worth of damage, with the wells burning for the following seven months. Action by coalition forces had narrowly prevented the further Iraqi invasion of Saudi Arabia's oil-fields, which would have given it unprecedented control.

MOD security to oil supplies in the North Sea
The RAF has provided surveillance of the UK's North Sea production facilities as well as response to specific incidents utilising Nimrod aircraft based at RAF Kinloss. Initially designed as an anti-submarine aircraft, the Nimrod uses its modern radar to monitor ship activity over a large area. Operations in the North Sea are conducted in conjunction with the Royal Navy.

Further Opportunities for Learning

-Further Defence Dynamics material supports an understanding of atmospheric gases. Invite students to consider the ways in which the balance of other gases in the atmosphere can be upset.

-Revise the various ways in which CO2 can be made and relate these back to the carbon cycle:
- Via respiration
- Burning carbon in air
- Reacting an acid with a carbonate
- Heating carbonates and hydrogencarbonates
- Burning hydrocarbons (e.g. methane).

Student worksheet answers

Download the teachers notes PDF to access the answers for this lesson.