Cycling of matter

• Cycling of matter


  Understanding that matter cycles through the living and non-living parts of the Earth
• Water cycle


  1. Evaporation

  2. Condensation

  3. Precipitation

  4. Infiltration

  5. Run-off and collection

  6. Transpiration
• Water cycle


  The series of processes that cause changes in the state of water as it moves through the Earth
• Precipitation


  The process where liquid water falls to the Earth in the form of rain or snow
• Infiltration


  The process where water seeps into the soil and through cracks in rocks, collecting underground
• Transpiration


  The process where plants lose water through their leaves, which evaporates and rises as vapour into the atmosphere
• Carbon cycle


  The process that explains how carbon is cycled through the living and non-living parts of the Earth
• Carbon cycle


  1. Photosynthesis

  2. Animal nutrition

  3. Formation of fossil fuels

  4. Storage in water

  5. Decomposition

  6. Respiration

  7. Burning of fossil fuels
• Carbon sink


  Anything that takes carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere
• Carbon source


  Anything that releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
• Water and carbon are two forms of matter that are crucial for life on Earth
• A supply of clean water is essential to humans
• A supply of carbon can be found in our food in carbohydrates, fats and proteins
• Approximately 60% of the human body is made up of water, but it can vary widely depending on hydration status
• Approximately 18% of the human body is made up of carbon
• Water can exist as a solid (ice), liquid (water), or gas (steam)
• The energy that powers the water cycle comes from the Sun
• Condensation


  The process where water vapour cools down and the gas changes back into a liquid
• Precipitation


  The process where tiny droplets of water in clouds fall back to the Earth under the force of gravity, in the form of rain, sleet, snow, etc.
• In a room with a well-watered indoor plant and sealed windows/doors

  There would likely be a high percentage of moisture in the air due to transpiration from the plant
• Decomposers, e.g. bacteria and fungi, break down the bodies of dead plants and animals and return carbon dioxide to the atmosphere
• When fossil fuels are burned, e.g. to heat homes and power vehicles, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere
• Processes categorised as carbon sinks or sources


  • Respiration - carbon source
  • Storage in water - carbon sink
  • Decomposition - carbon source