Summary
Carbon never quits. It recycles itself constantly, conserving its mass and energy as it travels from one location to another, disguised in its many forms. Without the carbon cycle, our natural resources would decrease to alarming levels. These resources support life on Earth.

Think Like a Scientist
Now that you have learned about the carbon cycle, you should be able to answer the following focus questions:

How is matter recycled throughout the stages of the carbon cycle?
How is energy transferred between stages of the carbon cycle?
Talk Like a Scientist
There are new vocabulary terms in this lesson:

Carbon cycle: the series of processes by which carbon compounds move through environments
Carbonate: a salt formed from a solution of carbon dioxide in water, sometimes found in rock, shells, or coral
Fossil fuel: a fuel (such as coal, oil, or natural gas) that is formed deep underground from dead plants or animals
Nonrenewable resource: a natural resource not capable of being replenished
Renewable resource: a resource that can be renewed as quickly as it is used up
Don't forget to use your Guided Notes to help you prepare for the assessment.

Experiment Like aScientist
The Carbon Cycle Activity

There are many transformations of matter and energy in the carbon cycle. Yet with each change, matter and energy are always conserved. Show what you know about the carbon cycle by describing the movement of matter and energy in this Carbon Cycle Activity Worksheet. Be sure to review the grading rubric before you begin.