Question
Copper is a metal that is used for many purposes. It is mined from the earth using various methods. Though the amount of copper in the Earth's crust is very large, if the mining of copper continues, it will eventually run out.
Students listed methods to help conserve the world's copper supply. Which method might actually increase copper mining instead?
Responses
A
a plan to collect copper bound for landfills and recycling it instead
a plan to collect copper bound for landfills and recycling it instead
B
the development of a cheaper and more efficient way to mine for copper
the development of a cheaper and more efficient way to mine for copper
C
development of a material that could serve as a substitute for copper wiring
development of a material that could serve as a substitute for copper wiring
D
the use of other metals to replace the copper normally found in electric motors
Students listed methods to help conserve the world's copper supply. Which method might actually increase copper mining instead?
Responses
A
a plan to collect copper bound for landfills and recycling it instead
a plan to collect copper bound for landfills and recycling it instead
B
the development of a cheaper and more efficient way to mine for copper
the development of a cheaper and more efficient way to mine for copper
C
development of a material that could serve as a substitute for copper wiring
development of a material that could serve as a substitute for copper wiring
D
the use of other metals to replace the copper normally found in electric motors
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The method that might actually increase copper mining instead is:
**B** - the development of a cheaper and more efficient way to mine for copper.
This is because if mining becomes cheaper and more efficient, it may incentivize more mining operations and lead to an increase in copper extraction, rather than conserving the supply. The other options focus on recycling or substitution, which aim to reduce the demand for newly mined copper.
**B** - the development of a cheaper and more efficient way to mine for copper.
This is because if mining becomes cheaper and more efficient, it may incentivize more mining operations and lead to an increase in copper extraction, rather than conserving the supply. The other options focus on recycling or substitution, which aim to reduce the demand for newly mined copper.