The carbon cycle
I can describe the carbon cycle and explain the effect of changes to parts of the cycle.
The carbon cycle
I can describe the carbon cycle and explain the effect of changes to parts of the cycle.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Combustion increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
- Respiration of living things increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
- Decomposition of dead plants and animals increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
- Photosynthesis by plants reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
- Carbon dioxide can dissolve in the oceans.
Keywords
Carbon cycle - The carbon cycle shows how carbon moves between different carbon reservoirs including the atmosphere, oceans and land on Earth.
Photosynthesis - Photosynthesis is a process where energy from sunlight is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
Respiration - Cellular respiration is a chemical process that uses glucose from food as a fuel to provide energy for life processes.
Combustion - An exothermic reaction in which fuel burns in the presence of oxygen to release energy, often producing carbon dioxide and water as by-products
Decomposition - Decomposition is the break down of dead and decaying matter.
Common misconception
Carbon is only transferred through respiration, combustion and photosynthesis.
Use the carbon cycle to show how carbon moves between different carbon reservoirs.
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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