Final answer:
The key difference is that the phosphorus cycle does not involve the atmosphere, while the water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles do, involving atmospheric circulation of their respective components.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major difference between the phosphorus cycle and other cycles like the water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles is that the phosphorus cycle does not include the atmosphere but the others do. The water, carbon, and nitrogen cycles involve atmospheric components such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen gas, respectively, which circulate between the atmosphere and the earth through various processes like evaporation, respiration, and nitrogen fixation. In contrast, the phosphorus cycle primarily occurs through the soil and water, through processes like rock weathering, and it is not typically found in a gaseous state in the atmosphere.