Energy and MatterAlways conserved.

Energy is never lost, but becomes unusable

We are constantly receiving energy from the sun.

It is converted into sugar (glucose) by plants and then works its way through the food chain.

As it moves up trophic level, 90% of energy is used by the organism and released as heat.

Eventually, all energy is released as heat.

Matter is never lost and is constantly recycled

All the matter on Earth has always been here and always will.

Everything that humans make is made out of matter that was already in the Earth

Everything that we throw away (or burn) eventually returns to the Earth.

However, some trash takes thousands of years to break down. Other returns to the Earth to be used again quickly. Decomposers help this process

Draw along: A sunbeam’s path

A sunbeam takes 8 min to reach Earth. If it is one of the 1%, it is absorbed by a plant and stored as

glucose by the process of photosynthesis. 90% of the glucose is used by the plant. 10% is consumed

by a Primary Consumer (a cow). Next, that glucose is burned by a cell in the cow to pump

it’s heart. As the heart pumps, heat is given off. 90% of the energy from the grass is used by the cow and

dispersed as heat. 10% is consumed by a human as a burger.

The rest of the energy is used by a human to move their body in a 100m dash. It is given off as body heat, motion and friction.

Draw along: A carbon molecule’s path

An ancient plant takes in some CO2 so it can photosynthesize, and uses it to create glucose in one of it’s leaves.

A dinosaur eats the leaf and uses the carbon molecule to build muscle. The dinosaur gets stuck in a swamp and dies. It decomposes and is covered by

sediment. Eventually, coal is formed. In modern times, the coal is mined and burned as fuel. The carbon molecule is

released as CO2 The CO2 is incorporated into a raindrop and falls into a river. Algae use the CO2 in the water for photosynthesis and creates glucose to grow. The algae is eaten by a salmon which is served in a fancy restaurant in Denver. Mr. Neumeyer eats the salmon and uses the Co2 molecule for cellular respiration

on his walk to school. He releases CO2 into the air.

Energy Flows, Matter Recycles

Energy provides energy to living things

Matter provides the raw ingredients to build life with

Energy dissipates as heat

Matter is always recycled http://www.chrisjordan.com/gallery/midway/#CF00039

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Matter Cycles Nitrogen Cycle Carbon Cycle Phosphorous Cycle Water Cycle Other nutrient cycles