System Frameworks Flashcards
What is a flow/transfer?
A form of linkage between one store/component and another that involves movement of energy or mass.
Input
The addition of matter and/or energy into a system.
Store/component
A part of the system where energy/mass is stored or transformed.
System
A set of interrelated components working together towards some kind of process.
What are the 3 types of property?
Elements, attributes and relationships
What are elements?
Things that make up the system of interest.
What are attributes?
The perceived characteristics of the elements.
What are relationships?
Descriptions of how the various elements and their attributes work together to carry out some kind of process.
What are the 4 key features of systems?
Their structure lies within a boundary.
Generalisations of reality.
Function by having inputs and outputs of material which are processed within the components causing it to change in some way.
Involve the flow of material between components.
What is the advantage of generalisations of reality in regards to systems?
They remove incidental detail that obscures fundamental relationships.
What are the three ways in which systems can be classified?
Isolated
Closed
Open
What is meant by an isolated system?
Have no interaction with anything outside of the system boundary. No inputs or outputs.
Give an example of an isolated system
A laboratory experiment
What is a closed system?
Has a transfer of energy both into and beyond the system boundary but not transfer of matter.
What is an open system?
Where matter and energy can be transferred from the system across the boundary into the surrounding environment.
