Question

What are the steps in the carbon cycle that describe the process of burning organic materials to release chemical energy?

Answer 1

The carbon cycle involves photosynthesis by plants which fixes atmospheric CO2 into organic compounds. When organic material burns, the carbon is released as CO2 into the atmosphere, releasing stored energy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding the Process of Burning Organic Materials in the Carbon Cycle

The carbon cycle is a complex process where carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere, organisms, the earth, and the ocean. The steps that describe the burning of organic materials to release chemical energy involve several processes. Initially, photosynthesis by plants removes carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, converting it into organic carbon compounds like glucose. Consumers, such as animals, eat these plants, transferring the carbon through the food chain. When organic material is burned, which also includes fossil fuels, carbon is released back into the atmosphere in the form of CO2. This is a decomposition process that is intensified by human activities, such as deforestation, which reduces the carbon absorption capacity of trees, contributing significantly to climate change.

Specifically, when organic materials burn, the reaction with oxygen breaks down the complex organic molecules, releasing stored energy, CO2, and water. This is represented by the equation for the metabolism of sugar:

C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy

Answer 2

The steps in the carbon cycle that describe the process of burning organic materials to release chemical energy are cellular respiration, photosynthesis, decomposition, and burning organic material.

Step-by-step explanation:

The steps in the carbon cycle that describe the process of burning organic materials to release chemical energy are as follows:

1. Living organisms release carbon dioxide as a byproduct of cellular respiration.
2. Photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and uses it to make organic compounds.
3. Carbon dioxide is given off when dead organisms and other organic materials decompose.
4. Burning organic material, such as fossil fuels, releases carbon dioxide.