Cycles of Matter

Earth is, in general, a closed system because

• • matter can leave Earth but cannot enter.

• • no matter enters or leaves Earth.

• • matter can enter Earth but cannot leave.

• • matter enters and leaves Earth in cycles.

Destroying forests changes the carbon cycle because

• plants take carbon out of the atmosphere

• burning plants releases stored carbon into the atmosphere

• more carbon is in the atmosphere

• all of these

What stage occurs in the water cycle when water vapor cools?

• condensation

• sublimation

• transpiration

• evaporation

Snow, sleet, hail, and rain are all examples of  ________________. 

• evaporation

• condensation

• accumulation

• precipitation

The law of conservation of matter is a scientific principle stating that

• • the amount of matter in a closed system always stays the same.

• • the amount of matter in a system, closed or open, always stays the same.

• • the amount of matter in a closed system decreases as the amount of energy increases.

• the amount of matter in an open system increases as the amount of energy decreases

Which of these is a situation in which matter would leave Earth’s biosphere?

• • a meteor falls toward Earth

• • a spacecraft enters space

• • an airplane soars above clouds

• • a shooting star lights up the night sky

Water moves through the ________ and _________ parts of Earth in a global cycle.

• • large; small

• open; closed

• • living; non-living

• • non-living; open

The water cycle describes the process by which water molecules are

• • deposited onto the organisms and environments on Earth from the atmosphere.

• • taken from the organisms and environments on Earth and given to the atmosphere.

• • transferred among the organisms and ecosystems on Earth and the atmosphere.

• created by the organisms and environments on Earth and transferred to the atmosphere.

What do you call the process when plants give off water vapor from photosynthesis?

• evaporation

• condensation

• transpiration

• sublimation

Which of these is NOT part of the water cycle?

• • water vapor rises and cools

• • water molecules produce clouds

• • humans collect water when it rains

• • water molecules fall back to Earth’s surface