Types Of Systems

Question 1

Characteristics of an open system?

Answer 1

Exchanges matter and energy, matter and energy are infinite

e.g. a drainage basin

Question 2

Characteristics of an isolated system?

Answer 2

Prevents the exchange of energy and matter, energy and matter are finite and fixed, hypothetical - doesn’t exist in the real world.

Question 3

Characteristics of a closed system?

Answer 3

Exchanges energy but NOT matter, matter is finite and fixed unlike energy.

e.g. global water cycle and global carbon cycle

Question 4

What is positive feedback?

Give an example

Answer 4

Where the effects of an initial action are amplified by changes to the inputs, outputs and processes.

e.g. increased ppm of carbon in the atmosphere, which increases global temperatures as it is a greenhouse gas, this causes arctic tundra to melt, releasing stores of carbon in the cryosphere, which then increases the ppm of carbon in the atmosphere

Question 5

What is negative feedback?

Answer 5

Where the effects of an initial action are nullified by changes to the inputs, outputs and processes

Question 6

What is dynamic equilibrium?

Answer 6

Outputs and inputs are balanced