1.2 Systems

Question 1

biosphere

Answer 1

• part of the Earth inhabited by organisms
• extends from the upper parts of the atmosphere to deep within the Earth’s crust

Question 2

closed system

Answer 2

only exchanges energy, (not matter) with the external environment

Question 3

emergent properties

Answer 3

• characteristics of a system that appear when the individual system parts interact
• the system parts themselves do not have these characteristics

Question 4

gaia hypothesis

Answer 4

a theory that all living organisms, along with the Earth’s physical components, form a complex system that maintains conditions suitable for life

Question 5

isolated system

Answer 5

a system that exchanges neither energy nor matter with the external environment

Question 6

model

Answer 6

a simplified representation of a structure or process, used to improve understanding, make predictions, and communicate ideas

Question 7

negative feedback

Answer 7

• when the output of a storage or system returns as an input in a way that inhibits or reverses the operation of the same process
• reduces change, stabilising

Question 8

open system

Answer 8

exchanges both matter and energy with its external environment

Question 9

positive feedback

Answer 9

• when the output of a storage or system returns as an input in a way that amplifies change
• destabilises the system and drives it away from its equilibrium

Question 10

resilience

Answer 10

• a systems ability to recover when disturbed
• able to avoid tipping points and maintain stability

Question 11

stable equilibrium

Answer 11

the tendency in a system for it to return to a previous equilibrium condition following a disturbance

Question 12

steady-state equilibrium

Answer 12

• a situation where there are continuous inputs and outputs of energy or matter to the system
• may result in short-term changes and imbalances

Question 13

storage / store

Answer 13

• an accumulation of matter, energy, and information in a system
• the location where matter, energy, and information are held

Question 14

system

Answer 14

any set of interacting or interdependent components (parts), organised to create a functional whole

Question 15

tipping point

Answer 15

a critical threshold when even a small change can have dramatic effects and cause a disproportionately large response in the overall system

Question 16

transfer

Answer 16

• a system flow that involves a change in location of energy or matter
• without any change in its state or form

Question 17

transformation

Answer 17

• a system flow that moves energy and matter
• in the process there is also a change in the chemical nature, a change in state, or a change in energy