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Module 1 Intro

1. Module 1 Intro

1.19. Page 5

Lesson 3: Page 5

Module 1—Energy Flow and the Cycling of Matter

 

Try This Try This

 

TR 2. In the virtual experiment you just completed, carbonic acid was used to simulate the effect of acid deposition originating from natural and human-made sources. Consider the many routes water can take while cycling through the hydrologic cycle. You will control the path of a drop of water as it travels through the hydrologic cycle, and you will learn about the interconnectedness of various ecosystems and global water use.

 

Go to this site.

 

Step 1:

Print the “Exploration Guide” included with the “Water Cycle Gizmo.”

Step 2:

Follow the procedure outlined in the “Exploration Guide.”

Step 3:

Answer the questions in the “Exploration Guide” as you complete the Gizmo.

Step 4:

When you get to question 2 in the section titled “Follow Your Own Water Cycle,” try to create the shortest possible cycle that passes through “Industry” and “Agriculture.” Also, try to create the longest cycle that passes through “Industry” and “Agriculture.” Export both cycles into a word-processing document, which you will keep in your online portfolio and later use in a discussion.

Step 5:

Write a journal entry for the following “Exploration Guide” questions:

  • Due to greenhouse gas emissions, many scientists agree that Earth is gradually warming up. If global warming continues, what do you think will happen to the glaciers and icecaps of Earth? What consequences will this have for people and other living things?

  • Consider your own household water usage.

    • Besides drinking and cooking, in what other ways do you use water?

    • Which activity do you think accounts for the greatest percentage of your own personal water usage?

    • In what ways could you reduce your water usage if there was a water shortage?

Feel free to discuss these questions with family members and friends before completing your journal entry. Save your work in your online portfolio.

Step 6:

In the discussion area, post the shortest and longest water cycle you were able to create. Compare these cycles with your classmates’ cycles. Are they similar? Did anyone create a water cycle that surprised you?

 

Now, post your reflection about your own household water usage. Compare it with your classmates’ answers. Does everyone have the same type of water usage? Is there anyone in your class whose family is practising water conservation? Keep a copy of this reflection in your course folder.

 

 

Reflect and Connect Reflect and Connect

 

ecological footprint: an analysis of human consumption of natural resources compared to the ability of Earth to recreate them


This analysis gives an estimate of the area (hectares) required for humans to live based on their given lifestyles—most North American lifestyles are not currently sustainable according to the analyses.

You now have a good understanding of the many paths that a water molecule can take through the hydrologic cycle. In this investigation you will have the opportunity to work in a group of two to four people with the goal to analyze Alberta’s societal use of water. Why? Because knowing your own community’s ecological footprint in relation to water use will help you determine how large an impact Alberta is having on global warming in comparison to the rest of the global community.