Extracting Earth’s Elements

Our earth is a complex system of definite composition. How we distribute the matter across the earth has become a notorious topic in the developing field of green chemistry. This unit explores the topic by conducting in-depth studies of endangered elements, rare earth elements, and mineral sources. Students will learn about how to use the periodic table to predict geometries and coordination of compounds. Ultimately, students will engage in wet chemical techniques used to create synthetic minerals and investigate the applications of minerals in their semi-native form. Overall, this unit gives opportunity for students to develop science literacy and environmental consciousness while learning about patterns observed in the periodic table.