Science of Technology

Earth Resources

• Modern technology depends on energy resources and materials found on Earth.
• Economic and environmental issues can influence the choice of resources.

Topics

• Metals are typically found as part of a chemical compound.
• Carbon compounds can be combined into long-chain molecules called polymers.
• Some materials are naturally radioactive, and others can be made radioactive.
• Maximizing the value of natural resources requires attention to “The Three Rs”.
• Energy is a quantity that can be found, but never created.