Question

Analyze the given diagram of the carbon cycle

An image of carbon cycle is shown. The sun, a cloud, two trees, one towards left and the other towards right, an animal, lake, and a factory are included. Arrow A points from the sun to the left tree. Arrow B points from the air above the clouds to the left tree. Arrow C points from the factory towards the air above the clouds. Arrow D points from the air to the lake labeled Carbonates in Water. Arrow E points from the label Dead Organism under the animal to label Fossils and Fossil Fuels. Arrow F points from the right tree to the air.

Part 1: Which process does arrow C represent?
Part 2 Name a process that could release the compound into the air
Part 3: explain how the elements that form it are conserved during carbon cycle

Use complete sentences to explain your answer.

Answer 1

Part 1: The process which arrow C represent is the burning of fossil fuels to introduce Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere. This process in the Carbon Cycle is relatively new since humans weren't able to produce large amounts of Carbon Dioxide by burning fossil fuels until the Industrial Revolution. This could also represent the process of cement manufacturing since it releases CO₂ by the following reaction:

CaCO₃ → CaO + CO₂

Part 2: A process that could release the compound into the air is the burning of fuels. This is an oxidation reaction in which the carbon present in form of Hydrocarbons in the fuel is oxidized to CO₂ by the oxygen in the atmosphere. The CO₂ produced is in the gaseous state, and is incorporated into the air. It also contributes to the greenhouse effect. The combustion reaction for the most simple hydrocarbon, methane (CH₄) is shown below:

CH₄ (g) + 2O₂(g) → CO₂(g) + 2H₂O (g)

Part 3: The elements that form it are conserved during carbon cycle by the Law of Conservation of Matter. This Law states that in chemical reactions, the matter is neither produced nor consumed, it only transforms. So, during all chemical processes in the Carbon Cycle, Carbon atoms are never destroyed but they change and rearrange into different molecules. This cycle is key to the sustaining of life on Earth.

Answer 2

Hello!

Part 1: The process which arrow C represent is the burning of fossil fuels to introduce Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere. This process in the Carbon Cycle is relatively new since humans weren't able to produce large amounts of Carbon Dioxide by burning fossil fuels until the Industrial Revolution. This could also represent the process of cement manufacturing since it releases CO₂ by the following reaction:

CaCO₃ → CaO + CO₂

Part 2: A process that could release the compound into the air is the burning of fuels. This is an oxidation reaction in which the carbon present in form of Hydrocarbons in the fuel is oxidized to CO₂ by the oxygen in the atmosphere. The CO₂ produced is in the gaseous state, and is incorporated into the air. It also contributes to the greenhouse effect. The combustion reaction for the most simple hydrocarbon, methane (CH₄) is shown below:

CH₄ (g) + 2O₂(g) → CO₂(g) + 2H₂O (g)

Part 3: The elements that form it are conserved during carbon cycle by the Law of Conservation of Matter. This Law states that in chemical reactions, the matter is neither produced nor consumed, it only transforms. So, during all chemical processes in the Carbon Cycle, Carbon atoms are never destroyed but they change and rearrange into different molecules. This cycle is key to the sustaining of life on Earth.

Have a nice day!