This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Trilogy Chemistry GCSE, particularly the 'Earth’s Resources’ SoW.
 
The lesson begins with a task whereby pupils need to use their phones/laptops to research the dates in which different metals were discovered. They should complete the table in their books and then write a sentence to summarise the relationship between the date in which the metal was discovered and it’s reactivity.
 
The first part of the lesson now focuses on extraction of copper from copper-rich ores, two methods are firstly introduced - smelting and extraction using sulfuric acid. Pupils will then be given a set of information on these processes and will need to answer a set of questions, once complete pupils can self-assess their work using the answers provided.
 
The next part of the lesson will require pupils to undertake a practical investigation whereby they will extract copper from an ore called malachite, an ore which contains copper carbonate. Students will need to follow the instructions provided and will then need to note down their observations of the electrode at which the copper will collect. A summary and explanation of the results will then be provided via the PowerPoint presentation for pupils to check their work.
 
Lastly, pupils will watch a video about low-grade copper ores and the processes of phytomining and bioleaching for the extraction of copper from such ores. Pupils will need to answer a set of questions whilst watching this video, this work can be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided.
 
The plenary task is for pupils to write a list of key words from what they have learned in the lesson today.