Using Resources - AQA GCSE Chemistry Revision

Topic overview

What you need to know

Using Resources is a key part of GCSE Chemistry. Link particles, structure and energy changes to the observations and calculations you may be given. A resource that is being used up faster than it can be replaced. E.g. fossil fuels, metal ores. A resource that can be replenished at the same rate it is used. E.g. timber, fresh water (with management). Water that is safe to drink. It is not pure water — it contains dissolved substances but at safe levels.

Exam tip

Balance equations, show units in calculations and connect macroscopic observations to particles.

Revision notes

Core ideas

Secure these ideas first. Say each definition in your own words, then connect it to the topic overview.

Finite Resource: A resource that is being used up faster than it can be replaced. E.g. fossil fuels, metal ores.
Renewable Resource: A resource that can be replenished at the same rate it is used. E.g. timber, fresh water (with management).
Potable Water: Water that is safe to drink. It is not pure water — it contains dissolved substances but at safe levels.
Desalination: Removing salt from seawater to produce potable water. Done by distillation or reverse osmosis. Energy-intensive.

Revision notes

Apply it in the exam

The exam will rarely ask for an isolated definition. Practise selecting the right idea and using it as part of a complete explanation or method.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Assessing the environmental impact of a product through its entire life: raw materials, manufacture, use, and disposal.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: The three Rs of sustainability: reduce the amount used, reuse products, recycle materials to reduce waste and resource use.
Phytomining: Growing plants on land containing low-grade metal ore; the plants absorb metal ions, which are extracted by burning the plants.
Bioleaching: Using bacteria to extract metals from low-grade ores. Bacteria produce acidic solutions that dissolve metals.

Core knowledge

Key facts for Using Resources

8 essentials

Finite Resource

A resource that is being used up faster than it can be replaced. E.g. fossil fuels, metal ores.

Renewable Resource

A resource that can be replenished at the same rate it is used. E.g. timber, fresh water (with management).

Potable Water

Water that is safe to drink. It is not pure water — it contains dissolved substances but at safe levels.

Desalination

Removing salt from seawater to produce potable water. Done by distillation or reverse osmosis. Energy-intensive.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Assessing the environmental impact of a product through its entire life: raw materials, manufacture, use, and disposal.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The three Rs of sustainability: reduce the amount used, reuse products, recycle materials to reduce waste and resource use.

Phytomining

Growing plants on land containing low-grade metal ore; the plants absorb metal ions, which are extracted by burning the plants.

Bioleaching

Using bacteria to extract metals from low-grade ores. Bacteria produce acidic solutions that dissolve metals.

Active recall

Close the notes and answer these

1.Without looking, explain finite resource and give one example or consequence.
2.Without looking, explain renewable resource and give one example or consequence.
3.Without looking, explain potable water and give one example or consequence.
4.Without looking, explain desalination and give one example or consequence.

Content reviewed 23 July 2026 against the current linked specification.

Finished learning?

Mark the notes complete, then test what you can recall.

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Official AQA specification