Environment: The Science Behind the Stories (5th Edition)
Environment: The Science Behind the Stories (5th Edition)
5th Edition
ISBN: 9780321897428
Author: Jay H. Withgott, Matthew Laposata
Publisher: PEARSON
Question
Chapter 2, Problem 1TYC
To determine

The basic building blocks of matter with some examples using chemicals common in Earth’s physical or biological systems.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 1TYC

Building blocks of matter are the elements and atoms. These are also known as chemical building blocks of matter.

Explanation of Solution

Matter is anything that occupies space (has mass and volume). Matter can be transformed from one form of substance to other form, but it can neither be created nor can be destroyed; this is known as law of conservation of matter. This law makes it clear that removal of undesirable matter such as nuclear waste and toxic pollutants from the environment is not possible because one cannot destroy matter.

Basic building blocks of matter are atoms and elements. These are also known as chemical building blocks of matter. Element is a principal type of matter or a chemical substance that cannot be broken down into substance that possess different properties. There are presently 92 elements that are known, for example, elements abundant in the environment are oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon and silicon.

Atoms also play an important role in building matter. They are the smallest unit that maintains the chemical characteristics of matter. Atoms of each element contain proton, electron and neutron.

Table 1: showing examples of building blocks matter common in Earth’s physical or biological systems.

Earth crust Oceans Air Organisms
Oxygen - 49.5% Oxygen - 88.3% Oxygen - 21.09% Oxygen - 65.1%
Silicon – 25.7% Hydrogen - 11.0% Nitrogen - 78.1% Carbon - 18.5%
Aluminum - 7.4% Sodium - 1.1% Argon - 0.9% Hydrogen - 9.5%

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Knowledge Booster
Recommended textbooks for you
  • Applications and Investigations in Earth Science ...
    Earth Science
    ISBN:9780134746241
    Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
    Publisher:PEARSON
    Exercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)
    Earth Science
    ISBN:9780134041360
    Author:Greg Carbone
    Publisher:PEARSON
    Environmental Science
    Earth Science
    ISBN:9781260153125
    Author:William P Cunningham Prof., Mary Ann Cunningham Professor
    Publisher:McGraw-Hill Education
  • Earth Science (15th Edition)
    Earth Science
    ISBN:9780134543536
    Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
    Publisher:PEARSON
    Environmental Science (MindTap Course List)
    Earth Science
    ISBN:9781337569613
    Author:G. Tyler Miller, Scott Spoolman
    Publisher:Cengage Learning
    Physical Geology
    Earth Science
    ISBN:9781259916823
    Author:Plummer, Charles C., CARLSON, Diane H., Hammersley, Lisa
    Publisher:Mcgraw-hill Education,
  • Applications and Investigations in Earth Science ...
    Earth Science
    ISBN:9780134746241
    Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
    Publisher:PEARSON
    Exercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)
    Earth Science
    ISBN:9780134041360
    Author:Greg Carbone
    Publisher:PEARSON
    Environmental Science
    Earth Science
    ISBN:9781260153125
    Author:William P Cunningham Prof., Mary Ann Cunningham Professor
    Publisher:McGraw-Hill Education
    Earth Science (15th Edition)
    Earth Science
    ISBN:9780134543536
    Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
    Publisher:PEARSON
    Environmental Science (MindTap Course List)
    Earth Science
    ISBN:9781337569613
    Author:G. Tyler Miller, Scott Spoolman
    Publisher:Cengage Learning
    Physical Geology
    Earth Science
    ISBN:9781259916823
    Author:Plummer, Charles C., CARLSON, Diane H., Hammersley, Lisa
    Publisher:Mcgraw-hill Education,