Natural Systems

Question 1

What are systems composed of?

Answer 1

Inputs, outputs, stores, flows and boundaries.

Question 2

What are inputs in a system?

Answer 2

Where matter or energy is added to the system.

Question 3

What are outputs in a system?

Answer 3

Where matter or energy leaves the system.

Question 4

What are stores in a system?

Answer 4

Where matter or energy builds up in the system.

Question 5

What are flows in a system?

Answer 5

Where matter or energy moves in the system.

Question 6

What are boundaries in a system?

Answer 6

Limits to the system (e.g. watershed).

Question 7

What are open systems?

Answer 7

Systems that receive inputs and transfer outputs of energy or matter with other systems.

Question 8

What are closed systems?

Answer 8

Systems where energy inputs equal outputs.

Question 9

What is dynamic equilibrium in a system?

Answer 9

When inputs equal outputs despite changing conditions.

Question 10

What is positive feedback?

Answer 10

When a chain of events amplifies the impacts of the original event.

Question 11

What is negative feedback?

Answer 11

A chain of events that nullifies the impacts of the original event, leading to dynamic equilibrium.

Question 12

On a local scale, what type of systems are the carbon and water cycles?

Answer 12

Open systems.

Question 13

On a global scale, what type of systems are the carbon and water cycles?

Answer 13

Closed systems.

Question 14

What do the carbon and water cycles contain?

Answer 14

Flows/transfers, inputs, outputs and stores/components.