environmental systems

Question 1

system

Answer 1

set of parts that are connected to form a whole for which the behavior of the whole varies from that of the parts

Question 2

emergent properties

Answer 2

behaviors or characteristics of the whole that components do not possess

Question 3

systems theory

Answer 3

framework that is used to arrange, describe, and analyze a complex group of interrelated elements that produce a collective result

Question 4

composition

Answer 4

what elements make up the system

whats in it

Question 5

structure

Answer 5

how elements are arranged relative to eachother

relationships, spatial

Question 6

function

Answer 6

describes what the elements and whole system does

what each part or whole system can do

Question 7

open system

Answer 7

matter and energy can cross boundary between system and environment

happens via inputs and outputs

Question 8

closed system

Answer 8

can exchange energy but not matter

Question 9

isolated systems

Answer 9

does not exchange matter or energy

Question 10

feedback

Answer 10

result or output of a system or one of its elements affects same result or output in the future

Question 11

positive feedback loop

Answer 11

feedback causes the output to move in the same direction as the initial change

destabilizing mechanism

Question 12

negative feedback loop

Answer 12

feedback causes the output to move in the opposite direction as the initial change

stabilizing mechanism

Question 13

model

Answer 13

simplified representation that characterizes essential features of a system while omitting inessential details

Question 14

box and flow model

Answer 14

conceptualizes flow of matter and energy in a system as a series of boxes representing reservoirs that contain matter or energy and arrows that connect reservoirs

Question 15

rate

Answer 15

amount per unit time

Question 16

flux

Answer 16

amount per unit area per unit time

Question 17

converters

Answer 17

conditions that regulate flow between reservoirs

circles above arrows

Question 18

conditions

Answer 18

features of system that can be altered but never used up and appear as converters in box/flow models

Question 19

resources

Answer 19

quantities of something that can be reduced by a process

Question 20

mechanistic theory

Answer 20

unique characteristics of organisms as being controlled by internal processes of individual organisms

Question 21

vitalistic theory

Answer 21

unique characteristic of organisms as being controlled by external vital forces

Question 22

self organization

Answer 22

development of highly organized state without being guided by outside source

Question 23

models do not need to include features that

Answer 23

“could” effect the system

Question 24

environmental resource

Answer 24

components of environment

Question 25

environmental condition

Answer 25

state of environment

Question 26

GHG effect does not trap heat because heat cannot be trapped

Answer 26

it traps EM radiation (IR), not the process of radiation

Question 27

how does the GHG effect generate TKE

Answer 27

through absorbing EM radiation from Earth

real greenhouses prevent convection

molecule absorbs and emits IR radiation in all directions

cycle of absorbing and emitting, creating TKE as it goes

Question 28

earth is treated as a closed system but it is actually

Answer 28

open

Question 29

atmosphere to outer space system

Answer 29

open system

energy in a steady state

matter at a net loss

Question 30

atmosphere to earth boundary

Answer 30

open system

conduction and radiation occurring (energy exchange)

water (mater exchange)