Cycling Web Quest
1. Draw a Carbon Cycle
2. How does carbon exist in the atmosphere?
Carbon exists in a chemical compound with oxygen: Carbon dioxide (CO2)
3. How are fossil fuels created?
The carbon found in decaying plants and animals is trapped underground for millions of years
and overtime becomes coal (or other fossil fuels).
4. Describe two ways that carbon enters the atmosphere.
Carbon can enter the atmosphere when cells convert sugar into energy (that process is called
cellular respiration). When we burn fossil fuels, we’re releasing stored carbon into the air.
5. How are the oceans involved in the carbon cycle?
Carbon dioxide (carbon in the atmosphere) can dissolve into oceans (and water). This
dissolved carbon dioxide can remain in the water for a long time. 6. How is the temperature of the Earth partly controlled by carbon?
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases are able to trap heat in the atmosphere
and that keeps the Earth warmer. Higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leads to
warmer temperatures on Earth.
7. What role do rocks have within the carbon cycle?
Over time, carbon can create rocks like limestone, dolomite, calcite, and marble. This carbon is
then “trapped” within the rock for a long time. It can gradually be removed from the rock as
water reacts with it (in, for example, the formation of a cave).
8. Where are you starting within the carbon cycle?
You’re starting with the atmosphere.
“Click to begin your journey”
9. How much of the atmosphere is made of carbon dioxide (CO2)?
Carbon dioxide makes up 0.04% of the atmosphere.
10. By how much has CO2 increased in the atmosphere during the past 150 years?
It has increased by 30% during the past 150 years.
2. How does carbon exist in the atmosphere?
Carbon exists in a chemical compound with oxygen: Carbon dioxide (CO2)
3. How are fossil fuels created?
The carbon found in decaying plants and animals is trapped underground for millions of years
and overtime becomes coal (or other fossil fuels).
4. Describe two ways that carbon enters the atmosphere.
Carbon can enter the atmosphere when cells convert sugar into energy (that process is called
cellular respiration). When we burn fossil fuels, we’re releasing stored carbon into the air.
5. How are the oceans involved in the carbon cycle?
Carbon dioxide (carbon in the atmosphere) can dissolve into oceans (and water). This
dissolved carbon dioxide can remain in the water for a long time. 6. How is the temperature of the Earth partly controlled by carbon?
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases are able to trap heat in the atmosphere
and that keeps the Earth warmer. Higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leads to
warmer temperatures on Earth.
7. What role do rocks have within the carbon cycle?
Over time, carbon can create rocks like limestone, dolomite, calcite, and marble. This carbon is
then “trapped” within the rock for a long time. It can gradually be removed from the rock as
water reacts with it (in, for example, the formation of a cave).
8. Where are you starting within the carbon cycle?
You’re starting with the atmosphere.
“Click to begin your journey”
9. How much of the atmosphere is made of carbon dioxide (CO2)?
Carbon dioxide makes up 0.04% of the atmosphere.
10. By how much has CO2 increased in the atmosphere during the past 150 years?
It has increased by 30% during the past 150 years.