MYP Chemistry Year 4&5

2015
Goal

Role
Audience
Situation

Unit 4 Performance Task

Due: 22 & 23 March

You have been appointed as an adviser to a start-up electrical cable production company. The company you work
for will supply electrical cables to power companies to transport electricity over long distances from their power
plants to the major substations close to cities in the UAE. The CEO of your company is unsure of whether to use
Aluminium or Copper as the major conductor in their power cables.
You have to research the efficiency of Aluminium vs Copper in terms of electrical conductivity, extraction
methods, cost of extraction, abundancy of resources and recyclability. Experimental data should be used to
inform your research.
You will present your findings, in the form of a powerpoint presentation, to the CEO and board of the company.
You have been appointed as an adviser to a start-up electrical cable production company. The company you work
for will supply electrical cables to power companies to transport electricity over long distances from their power
plants to the major substations close to cities in the UAE. The CEO of your company is unsure of whether to use
Aluminium or Copper as the major conductor in their power cables.
You have to research the efficiency of Aluminium vs Copper in terms of electrical conductivity, extraction
methods, cost of extraction, abundancy of resources and recyclability.

Product
You have to research the efficiency of Aluminium vs Copper in terms of electrical conductivity, extraction
methods, cost of extraction, abundancy of resources and recyclability.
Your presentation should include:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

The mining of Copper and Aluminium

The properties of Copper and Aluminium
Advantages and disadvantages of using both metals
Extraction processes used (also use computer simulations to illuminate the processes)
Compare the percentage yield of Copper and Aluminium during extraction
Compare the cost of electricity for the two extraction processes (compare the number of moles of
electrons required to produce 1 kg of each of the purified metals)
g. Cost effectiveness of using both metals
h. Your final recommendation

MYP Chemistry Year 4&5

2015

Unit 4 Performance Task

Due: 22 & 23 March

Criterion D: Reflecting on the impacts of science

0
The student does
not reach a
standard identified
by any of the
descriptors

1-2
The student is able
to:
i. outline the ways
in which science is
used to address a
specific problem or
issue
ii. outline the
implications of using
science to solve a
specific problem or
issue, interacting
with a factor
iii. apply scientific
language to
communicate
understanding but
does so with
limited success
iv. document
sources, with
limited success

Level descriptor
3-4
5-6
The student is able to:
The student is able to:
i. summarize the ways
in which science is
applied and used to
address a specific
problem or issue

i. describe the ways in

which science is
applied and used to
address a specific
problem or issue

ii. describe the

implications of using
science and its
application to solve a
specific problem or
issue, interacting with a
factor

ii. discuss the

implications of using
science and its
application to solve a
specific problem or
issue, interacting with a
factor

iii. sometimes apply

scientific language to
communicate
understanding

iii. usually apply

scientific language to
communicate
understanding clearly
and precisely

iv. sometimes
document sources
correctly.

iv. usually document

sources correctly

7-8
The student is able to:
i. explain the ways in
which science is applied
and used to address a
specific problem or issue
ii. discuss and evaluate
the implications of using
science and its application
to solve a specific problem
or issue, interacting with a
factor
iii. consistently apply
scientific language to
communicate
understanding clearly
and precisely
iv. document sources
completely

MYP Chemistry Year 4&5

2015
You do not reach a
standard identified
by any of the
descriptors

Unit 4 Performance Task

You are able to:

You are able to:

You are able to:

i. outline the ways

in which science is
used to extract
metals such as
Aluminium and
Copper from mined
ores.

i. summarize the ways

in which science is
applied and used to
extract metals such as
Aluminium and Copper
from mined ores.

i. describe the ways in

which science is
applied and used to
extract metals such as
Aluminium and Copper
from mined ores.

ii. describe the

implications of using
science and its
application for metal
extraction (for use as
electrical conductors),
considering the cost of
electricity and
therefore indirectly the
cost to the
environment.

ii. discuss the

implications of using
science and its
application for metal
extraction (for use as
electrical conductors),
considering the cost of
electricity and
therefore indirectly the
cost to the
environment.

iii. sometimes apply

scientific language to
communicate
understanding

iii. usually apply

scientific language to
communicate
understanding clearly
and precisely

ii. outline the

implications of using
Science for metal
extraction (for use
as electrical
conductors),
considering the cost
of electricity and
therefore indirectly
the cost to the
environment.
iii. apply scientific
language to
communicate
understanding but
does so with
limited success

iv. sometimes
document sources
correctly.

Due: 22 & 23 March

You are able to:

i. explain the ways in
which science is applied
and used to extract metals
such as Aluminium and
Copper from mined ores.
ii. discuss and evaluate
the implications of using
science and its application
for metal extraction (for
use as electrical
conductors), considering
the cost of electricity and
therefore indirectly the
cost to the environment.
iii. consistently apply
scientific language to
communicate
understanding clearly
and precisely
iv. document sources
completely

iv. usually document

sources correctly

iv. document
sources, with
limited success

Outline

Give a brief account

Summarize

Abstract a general theme or major point(s)

Describe

Give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern or process

xplain

Give a detailed account

Discuss

Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments,

factors or hypotheses. Opinions or conclusions should be presented clearly

MYP Chemistry Year 4&5

2015

Unit 4 Performance Task

Due: 22 & 23 March

and supported by appropriate evidence

Evaluate

Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations