Cycles of Matter

Imagine a sunny day at the beach. Describe the process of evaporation and condensation happening in the water cycle as the sun heats the ocean.

• Evaporation is the process of water turning from a gas into a solid, while condensation is the process of solid water turning into water vapor.

• Evaporation is the process of water turning from a gas into a liquid, while condensation is the process of liquid water turning into water vapor.

• Evaporation is the process of water turning from a liquid into a gas, while condensation is the process of water vapor turning into liquid water.

• Evaporation is the process of water turning from a solid into a gas, while condensation is the process of water vapor turning into solid water.

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Imagine a farmer is trying to improve crop yield in a sustainable manner. How does nitrogen fixation play a role in this scenario and contribute to the nitrogen cycle?

• Nitrogen fixation is the process of removing nitrogen from the atmosphere and storing it in the soil, which depletes the nitrogen available for crops and disrupts the nitrogen cycle, ultimately affecting the farmer's efforts negatively.

• In the farmer's scenario, nitrogen fixation contributes to the nitrogen cycle by making atmospheric nitrogen available to crops, which then pass it on to animals and other organisms through the food chain. This helps maintain the balance of nitrogen in the ecosystem, supporting the farmer's goal of sustainable crop yield.

• Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting nitrogen in the soil into a form that is toxic to crops, leading to a decrease in crop growth and disrupting the nitrogen cycle, which goes against the farmer's objective of improving crop yield.

• Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting nitrogen in the soil into atmospheric nitrogen, which reduces the availability of nitrogen for crops and disrupts the nitrogen cycle, hindering the farmer's efforts to enhance crop yield.

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In a farming ecosystem, how does the cycle of phosphorus differ from those of water, carbon, and nitrogen?

• Phosphorus does not have a gaseous phase and primarily cycles through the lithosphere and hydrosphere, rather than the atmosphere.

• Phosphorus does not interact with other elements in the environment

• Phosphorus is primarily cycled through the atmosphere

• Phosphorus is not essential for the growth of living organisms

Imagine you are an environmental scientist studying the Earth's water cycle. Which of the following lists correctly identifies the main reservoirs where water is stored in this cycle?

• Oceans, atmosphere, glaciers, ice caps, and groundwater

• Lakes, rivers, and ponds

• Deserts and arid regions

• Volcanoes and lava flows

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How does the increase in car emissions in urban areas impact the carbon cycle?

• It impacts the carbon cycle by increasing the absorption of carbon dioxide by oceans and forests

• It impacts the carbon cycle by releasing excess carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

• It impacts the carbon cycle by promoting the growth of carbon-absorbing plants and trees

• It impacts the carbon cycle by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

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In a forest ecosystem, how do decomposers like fungi and bacteria contribute to the cycling of nutrients?

• Decomposers release harmful toxins into the soil, depleting nutrients.

• Decomposers absorb nutrients from the soil and hoard them for themselves.

• Decomposers break down dead trees and fallen leaves, releasing nutrients back into the soil.

• Decomposers have no role in the cycling of nutrients in forest ecosystems.

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How does the process of photosynthesis impact the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere?

• Photosynthesis decreases oxygen levels while increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

• Photosynthesis has no significant impact on the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

• Photosynthesis increases oxygen levels while decreasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

• Photosynthesis increases both oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

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What role do herbivores play in the transfer of energy within an ecosystem?

• Herbivores produce energy and transfer it directly to the top predators.

• Herbivores transfer energy from plants to carnivores by consuming plant material and being prey for carnivores.

• Herbivores do not play a significant role in the transfer of energy within an ecosystem.

• Herbivores consume other animals, transferring energy from carnivores to omnivores.

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How does urbanization affect the natural water cycle?

• Urbanization has no effect on the natural water cycle.

• Urbanization increases the amount of water that infiltrates the ground, enhancing groundwater recharge.

• Urbanization decreases surface runoff and increases evaporation rates.

• Urbanization increases surface runoff due to impermeable surfaces, reducing groundwater recharge and altering evaporation and condensation patterns.

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The nitrogen cycle is an example of a(n) ​ (a)   cycle.

Its processes include the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into

ammonia, which is called ​ (b)   . Nitrogen is returned to the atmosphere in the process of ​ (c)   . select 3

• a. biogeochemical

• b. Nitrogen Fixation

• a. water

• b. energy

• c. dentrication

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