Energy Tradeoffs Organizer

Analyzing the Societal & Environmental Impact of Combustion

SYSTEM: EARTH-ATMOSPHERE-04

01. The Natural Balance

Naturally, the Earth has "Sinks" (processes that absorb CO₂) and "Sources" (processes that release CO₂). In the table below, list examples of each and identify the energy change involved.

Natural Sinks (Endothermic)

Natural Sources (Exothermic)

02. The Combustion Catalyst

How has industrial combustion (burning fossil fuels) tipped the scale of the carbon cycle?

Mechanism Analysis

Explain in 2 sentences how more CO₂ leads to a warmer planet (The Greenhouse Effect).

03. The Cost-Benefit Analysis

Benefits of Hydrocarbon Use

Costs (Environmental/Social)

"If we want the energy, we must pay the price... unless we change the chemistry."

What "Chemistry Change" would you propose for the next lesson?

The Carbon Cost

Carbon Balance Slides

Energy Tradeoffs Organizer Worksheet