coasts as natural systems Flashcards
What is a model
a simplification of a process to help identify and understand them as well as patterns
What is a system
a set of interrelated events or components working together
What is an isolated system
Where there is no interaction between the system and its surroundings. These systems do not generally exist in physical geography and so tend to be theoretical
What is a closed system
These systems have transfers of energy both into and out of the system boundary but not a transfer of matter
What is an open system
A system in which both matter and energy are allowed to transfer across the system boundary
What is an input in a system
elements that enter a system to be processed
What is an output
outputs are the outcome of processing within the system. They may be of use to the next element in the system or they may be unintended which may not be of use
What is a store
Where amounts of energy or matter are held and are not transferred until the appropriate processes are in place to move them
What are transferrs and flows
they are the movement of energy or matter through the system and enable input to become outputs. these may involve processes which create change
what are attributes
they are characteristics of the elements that can be perceived or measured
what is a relationship
they are descriptions of how the various elements work together to carry out a process
What is dynamic equilibrium
is when a system adjusts themselves to flows of energy and/or matter by modifying the interrelationships between different elements causing inputs and outputs balances each other out
