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Carbon Cycle

Key Concepts

Carbon is constantly being used and reused by living things in a process known as the carbon cycle.
The original energy source is the sun.
Chlorophyll in green plants absorbs energy from the sun and converts it to chemical energy through photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis converts atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) into glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆).
In the cells of living things energy is released during respiration.
Respiration converts glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) into carbon dioxide (CO₂).

The Carbon Cycle

Green plants convert atmospheric carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen in a process called photosynthesis.

6CO_2(g) + 6H₂O_(l) -----> C₆H₁₂O_6(aq) + 6O_2(g)

H = +2803 kJ/mol

Photosynthesis is an endothermic reaction. Solar energy from the sun provides the necessary energy for the reaction to proceed.

Animals eat plants, or eat other animals that have eaten plants, and incorporate the carbon atoms into their cells.

Plants and animals both respire.

During respiration, glucose and oxygen are converted into carbon dioxide and water.

C₆H₁₂O_6(aq) + 6O_2(g) -----> 6CO_2(g) + 6H₂O_(l)

H = -2803 kJ/mol

Respiration is an exothermic reaction, releasing 2803 kJ per mole of energy.

The process of decomposition also releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.

Dead organisms under particular conditions, such as under pressure and in the absence of air, may, over time, be converted into fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.

Humans combust these fossil fuels as an energy source which releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.

The complete combustion of coal results in the formation of carbon dioxide gas:

C_(s) + O_2(g) -----> CO_2(g)

The complete combustion of hydrocarbons, such as methane (CH_4(g)), produces carbon dioxide and water:

CH_4(g) + 2O_2(g) -----> CO_2(g) + 2H₂O_(g)

The combustion of fossil fuels are exothermic reactions, they release energy.

The total number of carbon atoms is always constant by the Law of Mass Conservation, but there is growing concern over the number of carbon atoms that exist as carbon dioxide because carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and a main contributor to the greenhouse effect.