Miss ForsytheScience

The Cycles of Matter

The Water Cycle

• The matter (stuff) in your body has been around for millions of years

• Nature does not always make new matter!

• NATURE RECYCLES!!!!

The Water Cycle

• Water Cycle- The movement of water between the oceans, the land and the atmosphere.

• The same water has been on Earth for millions of years. Nature recycles!

The Water Cycle

• Evaporation- The change of a substance from a liquid to a gas.

• Condensation- The change of substance from a gas to liquid.– Think of a cold can of soda on a hot day!

• Precipitation- Any form of water that falls to the Earth’s surface from the clouds.– EX: rain, snow, sleet – Transpiration: The release of water by the plants into

the atmosphere. (plant sweat)

The Water Cycle

The Water Cycle

WE NEED H20!

• All living things are made from water.

• Water helps transport nutrients and waste within living things.

• Water helps regulate temperature.

• ALL LIVING THINGS NEED WATER!

The Carbon Cycle

• Organic Molecules- Molecules that contain carbon.

• All living things contain carbon. • Carbon is used by all living things and is

recycled in nature through the “Carbon Cycle.”

• Photosynthesis and respiration are the basis for the carbon cycle. (we will discuss this later)

The Carbon Cycle

The Carbon Cycle

The Carbon Cycle

The Carbon Cycle• Decomposition- The breakdown of

substances in to a simpler form.

– Example: dead things are decomposed and their nutrients are returned to the environment.

• Combustion- The burning of a substance.– Example: Burning wood or fossil fuels (gas)

releases carbon dioxide into the

environment.

The Nitrogen Cycle

• Nitrogen is important to living things.

• Organisms need nitrogen to build proteins and is major ingredient in DNA!

• About 78% of the Earth’s atmosphere is nitrogen. (That is the good news)

The Nitrogen Cycle

• Most organisms cannot use nitrogen gas from the atmosphere. ( That is the bad news)

• This is where the Nitrogen Cycle comes in!

• Nitrogen Fixation- Bacteria change (fixing) nitrogen (N2) into a form that can be used by living things. (WAY COOL!)

The Nitrogen Cycle

The Nitrogen Cycle

• Passing it on: Decomposers break down the remains of dead things.– Nitrogen is then released into the soil for use

by plants.