Lesson 2

Carbon

Cycle

Learning Intention

Students will be able to...

explain how carbon normally moves through Earth's four spheres and develop solutions to reduce the impact of human activities on the carbon cycle.

Standard:

HS-LS2-4: Use mathematical representations to support claims for the cycling of matter and flow of energy

Agenda

Homework / Reminders

Activity 1) Two Truths and a Lie

Activity 2) Slow Reveal Graph

Activity 3) A Picture is Worth 1000 Words

Activity 4) Check for Understanding

1) Last week's exam is being graded - please speak to us if you need to make it up.

2) Quiz on Lessons 1-5 Tuesday, October 20th.

Activity One

Two Truths and a Lie

(8 min)

Directions:

Step #1) Figure out which statement is wrong.

Step #2) Correct the false statement by identifying the actual process and explaining which spheres water moves between.

Which statement is incorrect?

(A) Evaporation transfers water from the hydrosphere to the atmosphere, while condensation changes water vapor into liquid droplets that form clouds.

(B) Transpiration transfers water from the biosphere to the atmosphere when plants release water vapor through their leaves.

Activity Two

Slow Reveal Graph

(8 min)

Copy of Human Impact Lesson #2: Slow Reveal Graph

Predict: Why is the amount of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere increasing? Where is all the extra carbon dioxide coming from?

Activity Three

A Picture is Worth 1000 Words

(12 min)

Year 1650

(pinch to zoom in and out)

Today

(pinch to zoom in and out)

Directions:

Step 1) View both images and discuss with your groups the differences between the year 1650 and year 2026.

Step 2) Answer these THREE questions:

A) How does burning fossil fuels change the movement of carbon between Earth's spheres?

B) Why might the amount of carbon in the atmosphere increase even though plants continue to absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis?

C) What is one solution people can use to help balance the carbon cycle?

Explain how your solution would help.

Activity Four

Check for Understanding

Krill are small shrimp-like creatures that live in the southern oceans around Antarctica and consume phytoplankton. They play an important role in the carbon cycle. Krill contribute to the removal of up to 12 billion tons of carbon from the Earth’s atmosphere each year. The model below illustrates the role of krill in the carbon cycle.

A carbon sink is anything that absorbs more carbon from the environment than it releases. Which process carried out by krill results in the accumulation and storage of carbon for a period of time?

(1) Photosynthesis in the atmosphere releases carbon to the atmosphere.

(2) Respiration in the geosphere releases carbon wastes into the atmosphere.

(3) Elimination of wastes in the hydrosphere stores carbon on the ocean floor.

(4) Acidification in the biosphere stores carbon in the bodies of organisms.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse