copper life q - schoolscience.co.uk

www.schoolscience.co.uk/content/3/biology/copper/index.html

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CDACopper for lifeNotes for teachers

Age 11-14Age 11-14Age 11-14Age 11-14Age 11-14

Contents

Vital copper describes how copper is an essential micronutrient. It is vital for the functioning of Vital copper describes how copper is an essential micronutrient. It is vital for the functioning of Vital copperenzymes in respiration, plant growth and also in the blood of invertebrates.

Biocidal copper shows that higher concentrations can be toxic. Some uses of copper take Biocidal copper shows that higher concentrations can be toxic. Some uses of copper take Biocidal copperadvantage of this to reduce the growth of microbes.

Alloys and coins looks at how copper has been used for centuries to make coins. Alloys are employed to make coins and their electrical conductivity is used in vending machines to identify real coins from fakes.

This mini electronic resource is one of seven linked resources on copper:

Properties and uses (11 to 16)

Copper for life (11 – 14) Copper in health (14 - 16)

Extracting copper (11 – 14) Extracting copper (11 – 14) Extracting copper Copper mining (14 - 16)Copper mining (14 - 16)Copper mining

Electromagnets (11 – 14) Electric motors (14 - 16)

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Curriculum links (using the COL keyword scheme)

Life processes

Life processes

Energy & nutrient transfer

Food chains & webs

Humans & other animals

Human health: bacteria/virusesCirculatory system - blood

Web links

Bacteriawww.schoolscience.co.uk/content/4/biology/abpi/diseases/disease2.html

Virtual nature trail (food chains and webs)www.schoolscience.co.uk/content/4/biology/nature/index.html





http://www.schoolscience.co.uk/content/4/biology/abpi/diseases/disease2.html

http://www.schoolscience.co.uk/content/4/biology/nature/index.html


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Using the resource

1 - Does copper tarnish and corrode?

Copper has many applications that utilise its properties of corrosion resistance, ductility, electrical and thermal conductivity.

This investigation looks at its ability to resist corrosion.

Uses of copperHave students look through the electronic resourceand then make a note of the different uses of copper in a class question and answer session.

Use Student worksheet 1, Copper properties, to have students relate the uses of copper with its properties.

Copper and corrosion

Set up the experiment described in Student worksheet 2, Copper and corrosion. This simple experiment compares the resistance to corrosion of copper and a ferrous metal nail.

Students set up two test tubes. Each contains a small amount of water and in one is placed a small, iron nail and in the other a similar sized strip of copper. Over a period of several weeks, students can make observations to compare the level of corrosion.

The experiment can be extended by having students investigate the effects of adding other substances, such as sodium chloride or a weak acid like vinegar (acetic acid).

Safety note: the investigation should only be performed after a full risk assessment has been made and appropriate precautions taken.






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Using the resource

2 - Copper as a biocide

This is a comprehension activity that helps students look at the biocidal properties of copper.

Copper in the kitchen

Students should first read page 3 of the electronic resource and note the uses of copper in the reduction of microbial growth. They can then attempt the comprehension activity, Copper in the kitchen.

The activity gives students a newspaper article which describes research into the use of copper work surfaces in kitchens. The research, from Southampton University, found that the food poisoning bacteria, E. coli 0157, was killed within a few hours when on a copper surface. This was compared E. coli 0157, was killed within a few hours when on a copper surface. This was compared E. coliwith stainless steel surfaces on which the bacteria could survive for over a month.

The research group concluded that the use of copper alloys for kitchen work surfaces and sinks may help to reduce cases of food poisoning.





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Age 11-14


CDACopper for life

Student worksheet 1

Copper properties

Link the uses of copper with the properties that make it a good choice.

Some of the uses may be linked to more than one property.

Use these properties to complete the table. You can use each one more than once.

• It does not corrode easily.

• It can be bent easily.

• It can be recycled.

• It is a good conductor of electricity.

• It is a good conductor of heat.

• It stops the growth of bacteria.

Use Property or properties

Copper is used for the because base of frying pans

Copper is used for because electric cables

Copper is used for because water pipes

Copper is used because for coins


Copper is used for the






Age 11-14

S2www.schoolscience.co.uk/content/3/biology/copper/index.html

CDACopper for life

Student worksheet 2

Copper and corrosion

This experiment compares how much copper corrodes when compared with an iron nail.

It is easy to set up but there are still some tricky things you need to think about.

Method

A. Collect two test tubes and put a 1cm depth of water in each.

B. Put a small iron nail into one test tube.

C. Put a small strip of copper into the other test tube.

D. Leave the tubes in a safe place and observe any corrosion over a period of several weeks.

Things to think about

• How often should you observe the test tubes?

• How will you measure the amount of corrosion on the nail and the copper strip?

• What will be a good way to record and report this corrosion?

• How will you analyse your results?

You could also set up similar experiments to investigate the effects of things like sodium chloride (table salt) or a weak acid like vinegar.





Age 11-14


CDACopper for life

Student worksheet 3

Copper in the kitchen

A recent newspaper report has suggested that copper may help in reducing the number of food poisoning cases.

Read the report and then answer the questions.

Copper kills deadly food bug

Researchers from Southampton University have found that copper work-surfaces in kitchens could cut cases of food poisoning. They found that copper killed the deadly bacteria, E. Coli 0157.

The dangerous E. Coli bacteria can live on stainless steel and wooden surfaces for up to a month. This means that they can be transfer onto food that is prepared using these surfaces. This can spread food poisoning to anyone eating contaminated food from the kitchen.

Researchers found that bacteria in copper surfaces were killed in less than 4 hours. This would drastically cut the chance of live bacteria being spread to other foods.

The researchers, said that, "Stainless steel is used because it always looks like a nice and clean surface. But a close look reveals microscopic scratches and cuts which bacteria can live in. Cleaning may not be able to get them out."

In 1997 an outbreak of E. Coli food poisoning in Scotland made 500 people ill and killed 20. The researchers believe that copper should be used instead of stainless steel. This could bring massive benefits to public health. They are now looking for the best copper alloys to use.

Questions

1. What is the name of the bacteria that causes food poisoning?

2. How many people were involved in an outbreak of food poisoning in Scotland in 1997?

3. a Explain why bacteria can survive on stainless steel work surfaces?

b How can this cause the spread of food poisoning?

4. a What happens to the bacteria if they are on a copper surface?

b Explain how this can reduce the chances of spreading food poisoning.

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copper life q - schoolscience.co.uk

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