Grade 8, Vol 1 Student Handbook

earth science: ANALYZING DATA

earth science: ANALYZING DA

MINING COBALT In “The Real Cost of Batteries”, you learned about the hazards of mining cobalt. This element is found in small amounts combined with other elements in minerals , naturally occurring solid substances that make up rocks. Countries around the world mine these minerals to collect cobalt. The table below shows the top cobalt-producing countries. Use the data in the table to complete the skills sheet.

MINING COBALT In “The Real Cost of Batteries”, you learned about the hazards of mining cobalt. This element is found in small amounts combined with other elements in minerals , naturally occurring solid substances that make up rocks. Countries around the world mine these minerals to collect cobalt. The table below shows the top cobalt-producing countries. Use the data in the table to complete the skills sheet.

COBALT AROUND THE WORLD

COBALT AROUND THE WORLD

Cobalt Production (metric tons)

Cobalt Production (metric tons)

Country, Continent

Country, Continent

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa

63,000

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa

63,000

China, Asia

7,200

China, Asia

7,200

Canada, North America

6,300

Canada, North America

6,300

Russia, Europe & Asia

6,300

Russia, Europe & Asia

6,300

Australia, Australia

6,000

Australia, Australia

6,000

Zambia, Africa

5,500

Zambia, Africa

5,500

Philippines, Asia

4,600

Philippines, Asia

4,600

Cuba, North America

4,200

Cuba, North America

4,200

Source: U.S. Geological Survey 2015

Source: U.S. Geological Survey 2015

GRAPH IT: Use the data in the table to create a bar graph that compares the amount of cobalt produced by all the countries— EXCEPT the top cobalt producer—shown. Be sure to include a title and label your x - and y -axes.

GRAPH IT: Use the data in the table to create a bar graph that compares the amount of cobalt produced by all the countrie EXCEPT the top cobalt producer—shown. Be sure to include a title and label your x - and y -axes.

QUESTIONS 1. Each year, about 110,000 metric tons of cobalt are mined worldwide. What percent of that total does the Democratic Republic of the Congo produce?

QUESTIONS 1. Each year, about 110,000 metric tons of cobalt are mined worldwide. What percent of that total does the Democratic Republic of the Congo produce?

4. Why do you think you were instructed not to include the Democratic Republic of the Congo—the top cobalt producer—on your graph?

4. Why do you think you were instructed not to include the Democratic Republic of the Congo—the top cobalt producer— your graph?

2. How many of the top eight cobalt-producing countries are located in Africa?

5. Large amounts of cobalt are found in rocks on the seafloor. Do you think this is a good source for mining the element? Support your answer with evidence from the article.

2. How many of the top eight cobalt-producing countries are located in Africa?

5. Large amounts of cobalt are found in rocks on the seafloo you think this is a good source for mining the element? Suppo your answer with evidence from the article.

3. In 2014, Cuba produced 3,700 metric tons of cobalt. By how much did the production change in 2015?

3. In 2014, Cuba produced 3,700 metric tons of cobalt. By how much did the production change in 2015?

Sessions 7 & 8 27

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