Web Activities
UNIT 5: ELECTROCHEMISTRY
Chapter 10: Electrolytic Cells
p. 741Z
Practice
6. Research and describe some of the variety of uses of aluminum
summarized in the exhibition, “Aluminum by design: Jewellery to
Jets.”
Aluminum
by Design: Jewelry to Jets
Hosted by the Carnegie Museum of Art, this website is devoted to an
exhibition that houses examples of the various uses to which aluminum
has been put throughout history.
p. 741
Practice
7. Research and describe the newer, ion-exchange membrane cell
design for the chlor-alkali process. Include a labelled cell diagram
and the function of the membrane. Why is it superior to other designs?
Chlor-Alkali
Membrane Cell Process
This group of websites is known as the Chemical Engineers' Resource
Page. This site explains the use of the chlor-alkali membrane cell,
using easy-to-read text and diagrams.
p. 742Explore an Issue – Take a Stand: The Case For and
Against Chlorine
a. Research the production, storage, transportation, and
uses of chlorine and assess one environmental, health, or safety issue.
b. What is the best resolution of the issue you assessed? Present
your findings in a way designed to influence decision makers. Include
an outline of your findings in your presentation.
Chlorine
Saves Lives
Hosted by the Chlorine Chemistry Council, this website explains many
everyday uses of chlorine, and contains several links to other websites
with information about chlorine. It is a very useful starting point.
Chlorine
Bleaches Out Life
The Chlorine Free Products Association represents "companies dedicated
to implementing advanced technologies, and/or, groups supporting products
free of chlorine chemistry." Some information about its stance
can be found on this website in its News page and its online Newsletter.
p. 744
Practice
13. There are companies that specialize in bronzing baby booties,
sports equipment, and keepsakes. Find one and research the service it
offers.
a. How does it make a nonconductor like a shoe into an electrode?
Which electrode?
b. Briefly describe the process and the approximate costs for typical
items.
Caswell
Plating
Explore the website for Caswell Plating, a
company that provides a wide range of plating kits and plating supplies.
There is a tutorial on electroplating on the Plating Kits page of
the website (the tutorial requires Flash).
p. 744
Practice
14. Electroplating industries produce considerable waste that
is expensive to manage and an environmental hazard if not treated properly.
List four different types of electroplating waste, including potential
hazards. Describe some ways companies reduce, recover, and treat electroplating
wastes.
Electroplating
Shops – Watch Your Waste
This website is sponsored by the U.S. state of Illinois’ Environmental
Protection Agency. It provides information for companies and industries
involved in electroplating, giving them tips on the laws that apply
to them, as well as hints in reducing and preventing pollution.
Reducing
Recycling Costs
This website is hosted by the Argonne National Laboratory, which belongs
to the U.S. Department of Energy. They have developed a new process
for disposing wastes that result from several common electroplating
processes.
Pollution
Solutions: Metal Finishing
This website from the Office of Waste Management of the University of
Missouri provides many tips and strategies that businesses and industries
can use to dispose of, and safely use, many metal finishing by-products.
The recommendations are very well organized and clearly laid out.
p. 744
Practice
15. Aluminum cans are widely used for beverages. Write a short
report about the production of aluminum cans, including how the can
is made, how the top is attached to the can, how the construction of
the can has changed since the first model, and the advantages of using
recycled aluminum instead of new aluminum.
The
Life Cycle of an Aluminum Can
This corporate website will take you through the five major phases in
the life of an aluminum can. It uses easy-to-read text along with diagrams
and charts in order to explain how most aluminum cans are created, used,
and recycled.
Fun
Facts on Can History
This website provides some interesting and little-known facts about
aluminum can history and recycling. The social history of the aluminum
can is actually quite interesting.
p. 745
Practice – Careers
16. Research one of the careers listed, or another related
career that may interest you. Write a report that
a. provides a general description of the work and how it
is related to metals;
b. describes the education and training required;
c. outlines the current opportunities in this area, including typical
salaries.
Jobs
Starting With M
See how many jobs there are that begin with the word, “metal.”
This website provides an excellent start for investigating any career.
Occupational
Descriptions
This website is provided by the government of Ontario’s Ministry
of Education. It contains a vast array of resources that you can use
to find job descriptions and qualifications for all sorts of different
occupations.
p. 746
Section 10.2 Questions
11. The loonie replaced the one-dollar bill, which typically
wore out in the space of a few months. The Royal Canadian Mint wanted
to produce a dollar coin with a richer sheen than the shiny metals used
in coins of lower value. Sherritt Gordon of Fort Saskatchewan, AB developed
a unique process for plating the loonie coin.
a. Research the production and composition of the loonie.
b. What is the golden “aureate” finish on the loonie?
Describe the materials and process for producing the finish.
c. Why did the coin end up with a loon stamped on it?
One
Dollar
This website of the Royal Canadian Mint explains the loonie’s
significance and history. You can find out not only about what types
of design changes have taken place since the loonies was introduced,
but you can also find out the technical specifications (actual composition)
of the coin.
Westaim’s
Aureate
This corporate website promotes the coinage material, aureate, that
it manufactures. It discusses the properties of this material and promotes
the advantages that this material exhibits.
Electroplated
Coinage Technology
This corporate website discusses Westaim’s coin development process.
It discusses the development and production of various coinage materials,
the operation of its plants, and a brief promotional history of its
company.
p. 761
Chapter 10 Review
19. Plastic components used in the automotive and electronic
industries are often electroplated with chromium, nickel, or copper
to give them a metallic appearance. The two major challenges for electroplating
are to make the surface of the material electrically conductive and
to effectively bond the metal to the plastic.
a. How is plastic made electrically conductive?
b. How is the metal bonded to the plastic?
c. What are some of the limitations/problems associated with electroplating
plastics?
How
We Electroplate
This corporate website explains the process of electroplating, as it
relates to Borough’s products and services. A few diagrams are
also provided for clarity.
Plastic
Plating
This corporate website describes one of the services that the company
offers: plastic plating. It uses a few enlargeable photographs and captions
to demonstrate its product.
p. 761
Chapter 10 Review
20. Sludge and wastewater from electroplating processes contain
chromium, copper, nickel, and silver, as well as cyanide ions. Sending
these metals to landfill or discharging them in wastewater, instead
of recycling them, is detrimental to the environment and wasteful of
energy. Technologies are being developed to separate and purify these
metals, including precipitation, electrolysis, and reverse osmosis.
Research one technology designed to reduce the environmental impact
of the electroplating industry, and write a short account of how it
works.
Water
Recycling Costs
This corporate website describes Remco Engineering’s recommendations
regarding, and discussion concerning, the various methods that are available
for recycling water used in electroplating. It discusses four types
of systems, their advantages and disadvantages.
Hexavalent
Chromium Waste Treatment
This corporate resource document describes a method available to dispose
of hexavalent chromium waste, a carcinogenic chemical that became infamous
after the wide coverage it received due to the movie, Erin Brokovich.
Cleaner
Production
This New Zealand government website describes an approach that it recommends
for businesses and other organizations, called “Cleaner Production.”
It describes the advantages of such an approach, and elaborates on government
programs that will support any business/organization’s endeavour
to place a greater emphasis on the environment.
GE
Betz
This website provides links to the various products and services offered
by GE Betz, a subsidiary of General Electric, who are “shaping
the future of water and process treatment.”
