Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - JHS 2
EARTH SCIENCE
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EARTH SCIENCE
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Subject: Science
Class: JHS 2
Term: 1st Term
Week: 7
Grade code: B8.2.1.1.1
Strand code: 2
Sub-strand code: 1
Content standard code: B8.2.1.1
Indicator code: B8.2.1.1.1
Theme: CYCLES
Subtheme: EARTH SCIENCE
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The carbon cycle is the continuous movement of carbon through the air (atmosphere), living things (biosphere), water (hydrosphere), and land/rocks (lithosphere). Carbon is found in carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the air, in food, in wood and charcoal, and even in limestone and fossil fuels. In Ghana, understanding the carbon cycle helps learners explain everyday issues such as bush burning, charcoal production, farming practices, deforestation, air pollution, climate change, and soil fertility.
2.1 Key Terms Carbon (C): A chemical element found in all living things and many non-living materials (wood, charcoal, fuels, limestone). Carbon dioxide (CO₂): A gas in the atmosphere containing carbon; used by plants in photosynthesis. Carbon cycle: The continuous circulation of carbon through the environment (air, living things, soil, water, rocks). Carbon store/reservoir: A place where carbon is kept for some time (e.g., atmosphere, plants, soil, oceans, fossil fuels). Carbon sink: A store that absorbs more carbon than it releases (e.g., forests, oceans). Carbon source: A process or place that releases carbon into the atmosphere (e.g., burning, respiration).
2.2 Where Carbon is Found (Main Stores) Atmosphere: CO₂ gas. Plants: Carbon in sugars/starch/cellulose (e.g., maize plant, cocoa tree). Animals and humans: Carbon in food molecules (carbohydrates, fats, proteins). Soil: Carbon in humus and dead organic matter. Oceans and rivers: Dissolved CO₂ and carbonates. Rocks and fossil fuels: Limestone (calcium carbonate), coal, crude oil, natural gas.
2.3 The Carbon Cycle: Step-by-step Process (Core of Indicator B8.2.1.1.1) A. Photosynthesis (Carbon moves from air → plants) What happens: Green plants take in CO₂ from the air and use sunlight to make food (glucose). Carbon becomes part of plant tissues (leaves, stems, roots, fruits).
Word equation: Carbon dioxide + Water —(sunlight, chlorophyll)→ Glucose + Oxygen