Copy of 1.04 Carbon Cycle Gizmo Asynch Lesson (1/10/2025) 25-26

This is an Asynchronous lesson that you will need to complete independently. Make sure to watch the videos to help you understand the carbon cycle and how to use the Gizmos. 

For this assignment, you will need to have Gizmos and Formative open. 

Have you created your Gizmos account? 
If not.....
1) follow this link: https://go-el.com/join
2) enter the class code: ELM4NHLP
3) create your account
4) open the Carbon Cycle Gizmo

If you already have an account, log in to Gizmos : https://go-el.com and open the Carbon Cycle Gizmo.

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Part 1

Background information: The Carbon Cycle Gizmo allows you to follow the many paths an atom of carbon can take through Earth’s systems. Earth can be divided into four systems. The atmosphere is the air above Earth’s surface. The hydrosphere is composed of all of Earth’s water. The geosphere is the rocky, non-living part of Earth. The biosphere consists of all living things, including people. Some scientists use the term “anthroposphere” to describe everything made or modified by humans.

Question: How does carbon move between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and geosphere?

To begin, in the PATH tab, notice the black carbon atom in the Atmospheric CO2 area, highlighted in yellow. The glowing blue areas represent possible locations the carbon atom could go next.

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Select Land animals. How did the carbon atom get from land plants into the animal?

Land animals _______ plants (or other animals that eat plants) for energy.

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Click Reset. Use the Gizmo to create a different path for carbon that begins and ends in the atmosphere.

Take a screenshot of your path by clicking Tools, then screenshot. Right click on the image and choose "Copy."

Return to Formative and click "Show Your Work" below. Use Control + v to paste your screenshot.

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Click Reset. Use the Gizmo to create a different path for carbon that goes from the atmosphere to the hydrosphere, biosphere, and geosphere.

Take a screenshot of your path by clicking Tools, then screenshot. Right click on the image and choose "Copy."

Return to Formative and click "Show Your Work" below. Use Control + v to paste your screenshot.

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Click Reset. Use the Gizmo to create a different carbon cycle. The cycle should have at minimum four steps and should begin and end at the same location (atmosphere). Take a screenshot of the path by clicking Tools, then screenshot. Label each location with A for atmosphere, B for biosphere, G for geosphere, or H for hydrosphere.

Take a screenshot of your path by clicking Tools, then screenshot. Right click on the image and choose "Copy."

Return to Formative and click "Show Your Work" below. Use Control + v to paste your screenshot.

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Based on what you have learned, why is the carbon cycle important to all living things and the environment?

You may type your answer or use the blue "+" the record your response.

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Part 2

Background information: Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, formed over millions of years from the remains of ancient plants and animals. The burning of fossil fuels, as well as other human activities, increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Question: How does human activity affect the carbon cycle?

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Using the Gizmo, determine the path a carbon atom takes to form coal, starting and ending in the atmosphere.

Take a screenshot of your path by clicking Tools, then screenshot. Right click on the image and choose "Copy."

Return to Formative and click "Show Your Work" below. Use Control + v to paste your screenshot.

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Using the Gizmo, determine the path a carbon atom takes to form petroleum (oil), starting and ending in the atmosphere.

Take a screenshot of your path by clicking Tools, then screenshot. Right click on the image and choose "Copy."

Return to Formative and click "Show Your Work" below. Use Control + v to paste your screenshot.

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Using the Gizmo, determine the path a carbon atom takes to form natural gas, starting and ending in the atmosphere.

Take a screenshot of your path by clicking Tools, then screenshot. Right click on the image and choose "Copy."

Return to Formative and click "Show Your Work" below. Use Control + v to paste your screenshot.

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Using the Gizmo, determine the path a carbon atom takes to the cement plant, starting and ending in the atmosphere. Hint: one of the ingredients of cement is limestone

Take a screenshot of your path by clicking Tools, then screenshot. Right click on the image and choose "Copy."

Return to Formative and click "Show Your Work" below. Use Control + v to paste your screenshot.

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In general, how do many human activities influence the carbon cycle?

You may type your answer or use the blue "+" the record your response.

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Copy of 1.04 Carbon Cycle Gizmo Asynch Lesson (1/10/2025) 25-26

Based on what you have learned, why is the carbon cycle important to all living things and the environment?

You may type your answer or use the blue "+" the record your response.

In general, how do many human activities influence the carbon cycle?

You may type your answer or use the blue "+" the record your response.

Animals eat plants and produce carbon dioxide and water. How do animals affect the amount of carbon in Earth’s atmosphere?

From the Earth's atmosphere, where can the carbon atom go next? Select all that apply.

Click on Land plants and read the description. How did the carbon atom get from the atmosphere to a plant?

Select Atmospheric CO2. How did the carbon atom get from land animals back to the atmosphere?

Based on what you have learned, why is the carbon cycle important to all living things and the environment?

You may type your answer or use the blue "+" the record your response.

In general, how do many human activities influence the carbon cycle?

You may type your answer or use the blue "+" the record your response.

Copy of 1.04 Carbon Cycle Gizmo Asynch Lesson (1/10/2025) 25-26

Copy of 1.04 Carbon Cycle Gizmo Asynch Lesson (1/10/2025) 25-26

Based on what you have learned, why is the carbon cycle important to all living things and the environment?You may type your answer or use the blue "+" the record your response.

In general, how do many human activities influence the carbon cycle?You may type your answer or use the blue "+" the record your response.

Animals eat plants and produce carbon dioxide and water. How do animals affect the amount of carbon in Earth’s atmosphere?

From the Earth's atmosphere, where can the carbon atom go next? Select all that apply.

Click on Land plants and read the description. How did the carbon atom get from the atmosphere to a plant?

Select Atmospheric CO2. How did the carbon atom get from land animals back to the atmosphere?

Based on what you have learned, why is the carbon cycle important to all living things and the environment?You may type your answer or use the blue "+" the record your response.

In general, how do many human activities influence the carbon cycle?You may type your answer or use the blue "+" the record your response.

Based on what you have learned, why is the carbon cycle important to all living things and the environment?

You may type your answer or use the blue "+" the record your response.

In general, how do many human activities influence the carbon cycle?

You may type your answer or use the blue "+" the record your response.

Based on what you have learned, why is the carbon cycle important to all living things and the environment?

You may type your answer or use the blue "+" the record your response.

In general, how do many human activities influence the carbon cycle?

You may type your answer or use the blue "+" the record your response.