1.2 Systems and models Flashcards
what is a system?
Is an organized collection of interdependent components that perform a function and which are connected through the transfer of energy and/or matter
All the parts are linked together and affect each other.
when drawing a system, to represent a store, what would you draw?
a box
when drawing a system, to represent a flows, what would you draw?
arrow, for both inputs and outputs.
when’d rating flows in a system, what affects the thickness of the arrow?
The thickness of the arrows should be proportional to the number
what is an open system?
The most common system (all ecosystems are open systems!)
Exchanges both matter and energy with its surroundings
give a detailed example of an open system?
Think about a forest ecosystem.
Plants take in light energy and convert into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
Animals enrich the soil with faecal matter.
Heat energy is exchanged with
the surrounding environment…
what is a closed system?
Exchange only energy with the environment
Very rare in nature
can you give an example of a closed system?
Earth can almost be thought of as a closed system.
Light energy enters the Earth’s system and some eventually returns to space as long-wave radiation (a very small amount of matter is exchanged hence it not quite a fully closed system!)
Most are artificial. For example an aquarium can be sealed so only light and heat energy is exchanged.
what is an isolated System?
Exchange neither matter or energy with its environment
Never exist naturally
what is a transformation?
when matter or energy change form or state
moving through a system.
can you give examples of transformations?
Light energy to electrical energy in a solar panel (energy to different form of energy)
Melting, evaporation, freezing, condensing (changes of state)
what is a transfer?
matter and energy moving through a system without changing form or state.
Usually involve a change of location
can you give examples of transfers?
water carried to the ocean
heat/light radiation towards Earth
how would you get full marks in a system flow diagram?
1) appropriate drawing (boxes and arrows)
2) arrows in right direction
3) labling with values
4) arrow width proportional to value
what is a model ?
A model is a simplified version of reality and can be used to understand how a system works and to predict how it will respond to change
