Year 9 Science · Unit 2 · Lesson 04
Challenge Worksheet
Learning Goals
Find the mistake
A student wrote this answer
"Australia should stop mining because it uses up finite resources. Once we run out of minerals, we can just make them from common materials like oxygen and carbon. Also, recycling isn't really useful because recycled metals are always lower quality than newly mined ones, and it costs more energy to recycle than to mine."
1. Identify at least three errors or flawed claims in the student's answer. List each one clearly.
2. For each error you identified, write the correct version of the claim. Use specific data from the lesson where possible.
3. Why is each of these misconceptions understandable, in other words, where might a student get this idea from? Explain for at least two of the errors.
1. Is lithium mining for electric vehicle (EV) batteries a sustainability problem or a sustainability solution? Construct a justified argument that uses evidence from both sides. Your answer should acknowledge the strongest point against your position before explaining why you still hold it.
2. A lifecycle assessment (LCA) of a lithium-ion battery shows it releases more CO₂ to manufacture than a petrol car produces over 2–3 years of driving. Despite this, most scientists still say EVs powered by renewable electricity are more sustainable over their lifetime. Using LCA reasoning, explain how both statements can be true at the same time.
Wrap Up
In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?