1.3 energy and equilibria

Question 1

what are the interrelationships of an ecosystem?

Answer 1

Ecosystems involve interrelationships
among climate, geology, soil, vegetation,
and animals. These components are linked
together through transfers and
transformations of energy and or matter.

Question 2

what are the toe basic process that occur in ecosystems ?

Answer 2

Cycling of matter: only a finite amount
of nutrients on Earth so must be
recycled

Flow of energy: all energy originates
from the sun and is used by plants in
photosynthesis and converted to a form
usable by all other organisms

Question 3

talk about the idea of cycling matter?

Answer 3

There are only finite amounts of nutrients available on
the earth, therefore they must be recycled in order to
ensure the continued existence of living organisms.

Question 4

how does solar energy enter earths system?

Answer 4

Solar energy enters Earth’s systems as radiant energy.

Question 5

what does radient energy do in our earths system?

Answer 5

This energy is used by plants for food production. As heat, it warms the planet and powers the weather system.

Question 6

what eventually happens to radient energy?

Answer 6

Eventually, the energy is lost into space in the form of
infrared radiation. Most of the energy needed to cycle
matter through earth’s systems comes from the sun.

Question 7

what are thermodynamic?

Answer 7

Thermodynamics is the study of
the energy transformations that
occur in a system.