3.8 Cell Phones and Minerals

A. Inside the Phone

Now we’re going to look inside a cellphone to see what you’d see if you were to break it open. Don’t break your phone, look at this one instead. 

 

Directions

  1. What do you notice inside? 
  2. How big are the parts? 

Cellphones are filled with hundreds of parts. Because cell phones are so small, they require extra-special, tiny parts to make them work. 

To make those tiny parts, we need special materials. 

B. Read

Fact Finder: Now we’re going to read more about cellphones to see how they are harming gorillas. As you read, write down any important information in the “Fact Finder” section of your mission log.

What are minerals and how are the Congo's minerals used in cellphones?