WHAT DO THESE THINGS HAVE IN COMMON? Start with a comparison – graphite and diamonds. Both made of the same element – carbon, both with vastly different structure and function. Pencil: http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100606142857/uncyclopedia/images/b/bb/RP-pencil-tip.jpg Diamond: http://pics1.whiteflash.com/articlefiles/311-newdiamond.jpg
THE JOURNEY OF CARBON ATMOSPHERE PLANTS I emphasize that a cycle can start wherever you like, so long as it ends back where you begin. Let’s start in the atmosphere. PLANTS
FROM ATMOSPHERE TO PLANTS Carbon is usually found as CO2 in the atmosphere Plants take carbon in through photosynthesis CO2 = Sugar Oxygen + + + Pretty straightforward The water drop with glasses is from another PowerPoint of mine The carbon in CO2 becomes sugar
CARB S OHYDRATES World’s largest POTATO
CARB S ON World’s largest POTATO
THE JOURNEY OF CARBON ATMOSPHERE ANIMALS PLANTS
THE JOURNEY OF CARBON ATMOSPHERE ANIMALS PLANTS
SHORT CYCLE RECAP Short Cycle Photosynthesis Respiration Consumption ATMOSPHERE Photosynthesis Respiration Short Cycle Recap Consumption PLANTS ANIMALS
How do animals put carbon back into the atmosphere? Short Cycle quiz time
What form is carbon in when it goes from animal to atmosphere?
What is the most common form of carbon when in the atmosphere?
What form does carbon take once in the plant? I usually teach the carbon cycle over two class periods. This is where I end the first class period.
Moving in to the long cycle – a picture of coal http://netrightdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Coal.jpg
Oil http://www.sciencephoto.com/image/339804/530wm/T1100503-Crude_oil-SPL.jpg
xx dead xx xx dead xx THE JOURNEY OF CARBON ATMOSPHERE ANIMALS PLANTS The next steps ANIMALS PLANTS FORMATION OF FOSSIL FUELS
FROM FOSSIL FUELS TO THE ATMOSPHERE Burning fossil fuels releases carbon in the form of CO2 ATMOSPHERE BURNING FOSSIL FUELS Co2 image http://www.sierraclubgreenhome.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/co2emissions.jpg I don’t get in to greenhouse gases or global warming quite yet
Discuss how ocean critters use the carbon to build shells, etc. Chalk cliffs of Moen http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Chalk_cliffs_of_Moen.jpg
LONG CYCLE RECAP xx dead xx xx dead xx Long Cycle ATMOSPHERE BURNING FOSSIL FUELS Long Cycle xx dead xx xx dead xx Long cycle recap ANIMALS PLANTS FORMATION OF FOSSIL FUELS
How long does it take fossil fuels to form?
What happens when fossil fuels are burned?
Where does most of the CO2 produced from burning fossil fuels end up?
GREENHOUSE EFFECT 2. It can be reflected back into space REJECTED Atmosphere (not to scale) 3. It can be trapped by the atmosphere Sun http://images.wikia.com/orna/images/f/f0/Sun.gif Earth expertly drawn by yours truly 1. It can get absorbed
Another example they have all experienced – source listed on the picture
GREENHOUSE GASES: Gases in the atmosphere that trap heat Earth would freeze without them
GREENHOUSE EFFECT The overall warming effect caused by the greenhouse gases trapping heat Atmosphere (not to scale)
GLOBAL WARMING – The Debate FACT – There is 30% more CO2 in the air now than there was 150 years ago I do a class debate about global warming for my classes, that is why I present this as fact / theory. At the end of the debate I share my views about global warming being at least partially anthropogenic Thermometer – source unknown
Graph source, unknown
GLOBAL WARMING – The Debate FACT – There is 30% more CO2 in the air now than there was 150 years ago THEORY – More CO2 traps more heat and causes higher temperatures worldwide
Consequences Rising temperatures Species extinction caused by the inability to adapt Sea levels rising Severe weather conditions Image sources: unknown
There is strong evidence that the Earth is heating up.
The debate is about we who should blame