NCFE Earth Science Practice Exam

The term for capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is carbon sequestration. This process involves the removal and storage of carbon dioxide to mitigate the impact of climate change. It can occur naturally through processes such as the absorption of CO2 by trees and soil, or it can be engineered through technology designed to capture emissions from industrial processes or directly from the air.

Photosynthesis, while also related to carbon dioxide, specifically refers to the process by which plants convert CO2 and sunlight into energy, rather than the act of capturing CO2 from the atmosphere for storage. The carbon cycle encompasses the entire movement of carbon in various forms through the Earth’s systems, including its release and uptake but does not specifically denote the capturing process. Combustion involves the burning of organic materials, which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contrary to capturing it. Thus, carbon sequestration is the accurate term for the process of capturing atmospheric CO2.