Natural Systems - Water And Carbon Flashcards
What is an open system?
Both energy and matter can leave the system
- Inputs and outputs of both
Example: drainage basin
What is a closed system?
Matter CANNOT enter or leave
- it can only cycle between stores
Energy CAN enter and leave
- it can be input or output
Example: carbon cycle - carbon amount says the same
What is an input?
When matter or energy is added to the system
What is an output?
When matter or energy leaves a system
What is positive feedback?
Positive feedback mechanisms amplify changes in inputs or outputs moving further from dynamic equilibrium
What is negative feedback?
Negative feedback mechanisms counteract/nullify chnage in the inputs or outputs
This means system moves back closer to dynamic equilibrium
What are stores?
Where matter or energy builds up
What are flows?
When matter or energy moves from one store to another
What is dynamic equilibrium?
If inputs and outputs are balanced.
Long-term changes cause system to change to new dynamic equilibrium
Changes can trigger positive or negative feedback
The Earth can be seen as a closed system and the whole system can be broken into subsystems. What are these?
Cryosphere
Lithosphere
Biosphere
Hydrosphere
Atmosphere
What system is the global hydrological cycle?
Closed system - no inputs or outputs of water
