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Matter is recycled, but energy is not.
In an ecosystem, matter is represented by the presence of biogeochemical elements such as Hydrogen, Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus and Sulfur. These elements are being recycled through their respective cycles - Biogeochemical cycles (please click this http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?s=Biogeochemical+cycles&gwp=13).
Energy, on the other hand, is not recyclable. It is something that an organism utilizes or consumes. The 1st law of thermodynamics explains why energy is not being recycled - as an energy passes through or is being consumed by an organism, the consumer of the said organism will only utilize less of a 100% of what the organism was able to get from the 100% energy.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoYou can recycle matter. As to energy, once you use it up, it is no longer available. The total energy remains constant, but the energy tends to convert to a form that makes it unusable. For more information, do some reading on the Second Law of Thermodynamics.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoFor the most part it is. All organic matter will naturally decompose with time, although some synthetic materials like plastics can resist decay for eons.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agosome stuff happens
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoEnergy and matter are converted.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agorecycled
Anonymous
matter can get rechiceld
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Decay always happens at the same rate in ecosystems?
decay always happens in ecosystems
If energy and matter cannot be destroyed ehat happens to energy and matter when an organism is eaten?
It's dead
Why do you have ecosystems?
We have ecosystems to live. Ecosystems give us energy,oxygen and many other things. Earth is the only planet which have ecosystems.
Where does energy originate in most ecosystems?
By plants
What are the most important transformers of energy in ecosystems?
Algae
How is the movement of matter through the biosphere difference from the flow of energy?
Unlike the one way flow of energy, matter is recycled within and between ecosystems.
How does the way that matter flows through an ecosystem different from the way that energy flows?
Unlike the one way flow of energy, matter is recycled within and between ecosystems.
What happens to the energy in matter that is decaying?
Energy is released.
When you add energy to matter What happens?
when you add thermal energy to matter, the matter starts moving faster.
How matter and energy move through an ecosystem?
Energy and matter (mass) move through ecosystems from the bottom of the pyramid to the top. The bottom contains most of the matter and therefore the most energy. About 10% is passed to the second level. About 10% of that 10% is passed to the third level. Most ecosystems have three levels as there is not enough energy for a fourth level. Except in tropical rainforest they are fourth levels but no where else.
How is the movement if matter through the biosphere different from the flow of energy?
Unlike the one way flow of energy, matter is recycled within and between ecosystems.
Decay always happens at the same rate in ecosystems?
decay always happens in ecosystems
What happens to matter to when you add thermal energy?
when you add thermal energy to matter, the matter starts moving faster.
What happens to states of matter when you remove thermal energy?
When thermal energy is added the matter goes slower
If energy and matter cannot be destroyed ehat happens to energy and matter when an organism is eaten?
It's dead
What happens to matter and energy in closed system?
In a closed system, neither the energy or matter changes. (Study Island)
What happens to matter and energy and closed system?
In a closed system, neither the energy or matter changes. (Study Island)
