Ecological Energy Pyramid

NGSS HS-LS2-4: Use mathematical representations to support claims for the cycling of matter and flow of energy among organisms in an ecosystem.

Mathematical Inputs

Primary Producer Energy 10,000 J

1k J (Joules) 100k J

Ecological Transfer Efficiency 10%

1% The "10% Rule" 25%

Mathematical Model

Energy_next = Energy_prev × (Efficiency / 100)

Loss_heat/waste = Energy_prev - Energy_next

Energy Flow Visualization

Yellow particles represent usable energy flowing up the food chain. Red particles represent energy lost as heat or metabolic waste.

Energy Conservation Data Table

Trophic Level	Energy Available (J)	Energy Lost to Heat/Waste (J)	Total Accounted For (J)

Evidence for Conservation: At every link in the food web, energy is conserved. The energy available at any trophic level exactly equals the energy transferred to the next level plus the energy lost to the environment through cellular respiration (heat) and metabolic waste.