The balanced chemical equations representing three processes that are part of the nitrogen cycle exemplify that "Each biogeochemical cycle demonstrates the conservation of matter." This means that in the nitrogen cycle, matter is cycled through various chemical forms without loss, maintaining the overall amount of nitrogen in different states in the environment.
Explanation:
- The nitrogen cycle includes processes such as nitrogen fixation, nitrification, and denitrification, all shown by balanced chemical equations.
- These equations illustrate the transformation of nitrogen between different chemical states while conserving the total amount of nitrogen.
- This conservation of matter is a hallmark of all biogeochemical cycles, where elements move through ecosystems in a closed loop, undergoing chemical changes but not disappearing.
