The Energy Cycle – Definition
The interactions between energy sources in the Earth’s environment are described by the energy cycle. Due to the complexity of these interactions, even slight modifications can have a big impact on long-term climate behavior. The figure depicts a basic illustration of the key components of the energy cycle.
The biogeochemical cycle which utilizes or liberates energy through various biochemical processes such as breathing and photosynthesis is termed an energy cycle. The Sun is the primary source of energy for all the processes or activities occurring on Earth.
The energy obtained from the sun is referred to as solar energy which ensures whatever the energy is taken by us (living organisms) from the earth and its atmosphere is restored to it back through some means. For instance, the body of human beings is composed of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen compounds which are restored to the atmosphere in their elemental form. Human beings release oxygen in the form of carbon dioxide by breathing and water is released in the form of urine or sweat to the atmosphere.