7) Explain how chemical energy eventually leaves an ecosystem: Eventually even motion energy is transformed into heat energy. This heat energy is lost from the ecosystem (and eventually radiates into outer space in the form of infrared radiation). The Three Questions: Large Scale Version Question to Follow Evidence to Look For The Location Atoms endure. The air has carbon in Question: Where Carbon atoms stay CO2 are the available in pools unless a Organic materials are carbon atoms in our process moves made of molecules with environment? them in or out. carbon atoms What pools of Fuels materials are they in? Living and dead plants and animals (including foods) The Evidence of Carbon/Movement transforming processes: Question: How/why processes move organisms eating, do carbon pools carbon atoms growing, breathing, change over time? among pools dying How are carbon Carbon atoms decay moving? cycle within combustion environmental If a carbon pool size systems changes, that means carbon atoms moved
7) Explain how chemical energy eventually leaves an ecosystem: Eventually even motion energy is transformed into heat energy. This heat energy is lost from the ecosystem (and eventually radiates into outer space in the form of infrared radiation). The Three Questions: Large Scale Version Question to Follow Evidence to Look For The Location Question: Where are the available carbon atoms in our environment? What pools of materials are they in? Atoms endure. Carbon atoms stay in pools unless a process moves them in or out. The air has carbon in CO2 Organic materials are made of molecules with carbon atoms Fuels Living and dead plants and animals (including foods) The Carbon/Movement Question: How/why do carbon pools change over time? How are carbon moving? processes move carbon atoms among pools Carbon atoms cycle within environmental systems Evidence of processes: organisms eating, growing, breathing, dying decay combustion If a carbon pool size changes, that means carbon atoms moved transforming
Ecosystems%20Teachers%20Guide%202012-2013.docx