Systems Flashcards
What are the five things that make up a system?
Inputs
Outputs
Stores
Flows
Boundaries
What is an input?
Matter or energy added
What’s an output?
Matter or energy leaving
What’s a store?
Matter or energy builds up
What’s a flow?
Matter or energy moves
What’s a boundary?
Limit to the system
What is an open system?
They receive inputs and transfer energy and matter to other systems
What is a closed system?
When only energy can move across the systems boundary not matter
What is dynamic equilibrium?
Inputs equal outputs regardless of changing conditions
What is positive and negative feedback?
Positive feedback is when the chain of events amplify any changes that have started to occur.
Negative feedback is when the chain of events nullifies the impact of any changes that have started to occur.
On a local scale what type of system is the water and carbon cycle?
Open systems
On a global scale what type of system are the water and carbon cycle?
Closed systems
