Topic 1: Systems & Models

Question 1

Types of systems

Answer 1

Open system, closed system, isolated

Question 2

Open System

Answer 2

Exchanges both matter and matter

Question 3

Closed System

Answer 3

Exchanges energy but no matter

Question 4

Isolated System

Answer 4

Completely isolated

Question 5

Laws of Thermodynamics

Answer 5

1. Energy is neither created or destroyed only transformed or transfered
2. Energy is always lost in every transformation. e.g. heat to the environment

Question 6

Equilibrium

Answer 6

Avoids sudden changes in a system

Question 7

Static Equilibrium

Answer 7

Where the components of a system remain constant over a long period of time

Question 8

Steady State Equilibrium

Answer 8

The amount of input and the amount of output are equal

Question 9

Feedback Systems

Answer 9

Where positive feedback moves away from the line of equilibrium and negative feedback moves back towards the line of equilibrium.
Earth warms –> Permafrost –> Water logged soil –> Methane gas –> earth warm (Positive feedback)

Question 10

Transfers

Answer 10

Is when something moves from one place to another staying the same e.g. water in a cup to water on the floor.

Question 11

Transformations

Answer 11

Is when something changes it state. Interaction within a system in the formation of a new end product, or involve a change of state. e.g. burning fossil fuels. Respiration and photosynthesis.

Question 12

Models

Answer 12

Pros:
- Simplified representation of a system
- Gives us some idea of how a system will respond
Cons:
- They are simplified
- Not possible to include every input/output/storage
- Data used may not be reliable

Question 13

Nitrogen Cycle

Answer 13

The cycles begins with Atmospheric nitrogen being transformed into ammonium through nitrogen fixation, by lightning, fixing bacteria and the haber process. Through nitrification the ammonium is transformed into nitrates (NO3) by nitrifying bacteria. Some of the nitrates are released back into the Atmosphere due to water logged soil, this is why it is important for farmers to plow their fields. Through assimilation the nitrites are transformed into amino acids to help build proteins for the plants. The plants either die or are consumed by animals which then also become Detritus (dead composing matter) This is then decomposed by detritiores and made back into ammonium.

Question 14

Hydrogen Cycle Transfers and Transformations

Answer 14

Transfers:
- Precipitation (raining)
- Advection (clouds moving
- Runoff (running water)
Transformations:
- Evaporation 
- Transpiration (from ground water to plants) 
- Evaportransportation (vegetation to the atmosphere) 
- Melting runoff (from mountains snow)

Question 15

Carbon Cycle

Answer 15

Carbon cycle