📖 Part 1: Reading & Vocabulary

Energy and Matter in Earth's Systems

Energy and matter are constantly moving through Earth's systems. The Sun provides energy that drives most processes on Earth. This energy powers the water cycle, weather patterns, and life processes. Matter, like carbon and water, cycles through different parts of Earth - the atmosphere, oceans, land, and living things.

Plants use photosynthesis to capture the Sun's energy and make food from carbon dioxide and water. Animals eat plants and use cellular respiration to release that stored energy. When organisms die, decomposition returns matter back to the environment. This creates continuous cycles that connect all of Earth's systems.

1. What is the main source of energy for most processes on Earth?

2. Match each vocabulary word to its definition:

Photosynthesis

Cellular respiration

Decomposition

Carbon cycle

Process where organisms break down food to release energy

Movement of carbon through Earth's systems

Process where plants make food using sunlight

Process where dead organisms break down

🔄 Part 2: Carbon Cycle Model

Instructions: Draw arrows to show how carbon moves through the cycle. Label each process.

Word Bank: Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration, Decomposition, Atmosphere (CO₂), Plants, Animals, Soil

3. In the carbon cycle, where do plants get carbon dioxide from?

The soil

The atmosphere

Other plants

The Sun

4. Which processes release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere? (Check all that apply)

Photosynthesis

Cellular respiration

Decomposition

Burning fossil fuels

🧠 Part 3: Understanding Energy and Matter Flow

5. Complete the equation for photosynthesis:

Carbon dioxide + _____________ + sunlight → glucose + oxygen

6. What happens to the Sun's energy during photosynthesis?

It is destroyed

It is stored in glucose molecules

It becomes carbon dioxide

It returns to the Sun

7. Why is decomposition important for Earth's systems?

8. True or False: Matter can be created and destroyed in Earth's systems.

True

False

9. Explain your answer to question 8:

10. A forest fire burns down trees. Describe how this affects the carbon cycle:

11. Fill in the blanks: During cellular respiration, organisms use _______ and glucose to release _______ for life processes. This also produces _______ dioxide as waste.

12. How are photosynthesis and cellular respiration connected in the carbon cycle?