Matter And Energy Flow - Middle School Earth and Space Science
Card 1 of 25
Identify the reservoir that stores carbon long-term and links matter cycling to Earth’s internal energy.
Identify the reservoir that stores carbon long-term and links matter cycling to Earth’s internal energy.
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Sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels in the geosphere. Carbon is locked in rocks and oil for millions of years.
Sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels in the geosphere. Carbon is locked in rocks and oil for millions of years.
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Identify the water-cycle process: plants release water vapor through leaf pores.
Identify the water-cycle process: plants release water vapor through leaf pores.
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Transpiration. Stomata release vapor as plants move water from roots to leaves.
Transpiration. Stomata release vapor as plants move water from roots to leaves.
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What evidence best supports that energy flows one-way through ecosystems?
What evidence best supports that energy flows one-way through ecosystems?
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Energy is lost as heat at each trophic level. Only 10% of energy transfers up; 90% becomes unusable heat.
Energy is lost as heat at each trophic level. Only 10% of energy transfers up; 90% becomes unusable heat.
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Which Earth system interaction shows matter cycling: transpiration or sunlight warming a rock?
Which Earth system interaction shows matter cycling: transpiration or sunlight warming a rock?
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Transpiration. Plants release water vapor, moving matter between biosphere and atmosphere.
Transpiration. Plants release water vapor, moving matter between biosphere and atmosphere.
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What process in the nitrogen cycle converts atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms for plants?
What process in the nitrogen cycle converts atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms for plants?
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Nitrogen fixation. Bacteria convert $N_2$ gas into ammonia and nitrates plants can absorb.
Nitrogen fixation. Bacteria convert $N_2$ gas into ammonia and nitrates plants can absorb.
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What process moves carbon from the atmosphere into oceans and shells as dissolved carbonates?
What process moves carbon from the atmosphere into oceans and shells as dissolved carbonates?
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Carbon dioxide dissolving in ocean water (ocean uptake). Oceans absorb atmospheric $CO_2$, forming carbonic acid and carbonates.
Carbon dioxide dissolving in ocean water (ocean uptake). Oceans absorb atmospheric $CO_2$, forming carbonic acid and carbonates.
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What Earth process links internal energy flow to matter cycling by releasing gases and new rock?
What Earth process links internal energy flow to matter cycling by releasing gases and new rock?
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Volcanism (volcanic eruptions). Releases $CO_2$, water vapor, and minerals from Earth's interior to surface.
Volcanism (volcanic eruptions). Releases $CO_2$, water vapor, and minerals from Earth's interior to surface.
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What two linked ideas describe how Earth systems work: matter cycling and energy flow?
What two linked ideas describe how Earth systems work: matter cycling and energy flow?
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Matter is recycled; energy moves through and is not recycled. Matter stays on Earth and gets reused; energy passes through and exits as heat.
Matter is recycled; energy moves through and is not recycled. Matter stays on Earth and gets reused; energy passes through and exits as heat.
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What is the main energy source that drives most Earth surface processes and cycles?
What is the main energy source that drives most Earth surface processes and cycles?
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Solar energy from the Sun. Powers photosynthesis, weather, ocean currents, and the water cycle.
Solar energy from the Sun. Powers photosynthesis, weather, ocean currents, and the water cycle.
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What is the main internal energy source that drives plate tectonics and volcanism?
What is the main internal energy source that drives plate tectonics and volcanism?
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Earth’s internal heat (geothermal energy). Heat from radioactive decay and Earth's formation drives mantle convection.
Earth’s internal heat (geothermal energy). Heat from radioactive decay and Earth's formation drives mantle convection.
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Which phase change releases energy to the environment: freezing or melting?
Which phase change releases energy to the environment: freezing or melting?
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Freezing. Liquid to solid releases energy as molecules slow and organize.
Freezing. Liquid to solid releases energy as molecules slow and organize.
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Identify the correct claim: energy is recycled in ecosystems or energy is lost as heat.
Identify the correct claim: energy is recycled in ecosystems or energy is lost as heat.
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Energy is lost as heat; it is not recycled. Unlike matter, energy flows one-way through ecosystems.
Energy is lost as heat; it is not recycled. Unlike matter, energy flows one-way through ecosystems.
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Identify the process that transfers nitrogen from the atmosphere into usable forms for plants.
Identify the process that transfers nitrogen from the atmosphere into usable forms for plants.
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Nitrogen fixation. Bacteria convert $N_2$ gas into ammonia that plants can absorb.
Nitrogen fixation. Bacteria convert $N_2$ gas into ammonia that plants can absorb.
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Which option is a short-term carbon reservoir: ocean water or coal deposits?
Which option is a short-term carbon reservoir: ocean water or coal deposits?
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Ocean water. Ocean carbon exchanges with atmosphere in years; coal formed over eons.
Ocean water. Ocean carbon exchanges with atmosphere in years; coal formed over eons.
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Which human activity transfers carbon from long-term geosphere storage to the atmosphere?
Which human activity transfers carbon from long-term geosphere storage to the atmosphere?
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Burning fossil fuels. Combustion releases carbon stored underground for millions of years.
Burning fossil fuels. Combustion releases carbon stored underground for millions of years.
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What is the best conclusion if $CO_2$ rises at night in a forest when photosynthesis stops?
What is the best conclusion if $CO_2$ rises at night in a forest when photosynthesis stops?
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Respiration is releasing $CO_2$ without daytime uptake. All organisms respire continuously, but plants only photosynthesize in light.
Respiration is releasing $CO_2$ without daytime uptake. All organisms respire continuously, but plants only photosynthesize in light.
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What is the best conclusion if atmospheric $CO_2$ decreases while plant biomass increases in spring?
What is the best conclusion if atmospheric $CO_2$ decreases while plant biomass increases in spring?
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Photosynthesis is removing $CO_2$ and storing carbon in biomass. Plants convert atmospheric $CO_2$ into organic carbon compounds.
Photosynthesis is removing $CO_2$ and storing carbon in biomass. Plants convert atmospheric $CO_2$ into organic carbon compounds.
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What evidence best shows energy is not recycled in ecosystems?
What evidence best shows energy is not recycled in ecosystems?
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Energy is lost as heat at each trophic transfer. Only 10% of energy transfers between levels; 90% becomes heat.
Energy is lost as heat at each trophic transfer. Only 10% of energy transfers between levels; 90% becomes heat.
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What phase change releases heat to the environment as water vapor becomes liquid droplets?
What phase change releases heat to the environment as water vapor becomes liquid droplets?
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Condensation. Water vapor loses energy when forming liquid, warming surroundings.
Condensation. Water vapor loses energy when forming liquid, warming surroundings.
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Identify the Earth system interaction: plants take in $CO_2$ and release $O_2$.
Identify the Earth system interaction: plants take in $CO_2$ and release $O_2$.
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Biosphere–atmosphere interaction. Living organisms exchange gases with the air through respiration and photosynthesis.
Biosphere–atmosphere interaction. Living organisms exchange gases with the air through respiration and photosynthesis.
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What is the main evidence that energy decreases at higher trophic levels?
What is the main evidence that energy decreases at higher trophic levels?
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Less biomass and fewer organisms at higher levels. Energy is lost as heat at each trophic transfer, reducing available biomass.
Less biomass and fewer organisms at higher levels. Energy is lost as heat at each trophic transfer, reducing available biomass.
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What process releases water vapor from plant leaves into the atmosphere?
What process releases water vapor from plant leaves into the atmosphere?
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Transpiration. Plants lose water through stomata during gas exchange for photosynthesis.
Transpiration. Plants lose water through stomata during gas exchange for photosynthesis.
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Which gas is removed from the air by photosynthesis and added by respiration?
Which gas is removed from the air by photosynthesis and added by respiration?
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Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). Plants absorb it for photosynthesis; organisms release it when respiring.
Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). Plants absorb it for photosynthesis; organisms release it when respiring.
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Which gas is produced by photosynthesis and used by most organisms for respiration?
Which gas is produced by photosynthesis and used by most organisms for respiration?
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Oxygen ($O_2$). Released by plants during photosynthesis; consumed during respiration.
Oxygen ($O_2$). Released by plants during photosynthesis; consumed during respiration.
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What is the term for organisms that convert sunlight into chemical energy and start food chains?
What is the term for organisms that convert sunlight into chemical energy and start food chains?
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Producers (autotrophs). Make their own food using light or chemical energy sources.
Producers (autotrophs). Make their own food using light or chemical energy sources.
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