ESS SL - unit 2 (DP1)

Open system example

anythig alive - individual living things

Closed system example

terrarium

Isolated system example

universe/space

1st law of thermodynamics

law of conservation of energy/matter - energy cannot be created or destroyed (energy can be transformed and/or transferred)

2nd law of thermodynamics

law of entropy - energy conversion lacks total efficiency (some energy is lost as heat and energy dissipates and can no longer work)

Types of equilibrium

steady-state and static

Steady-state

dynamic state, fluctuates but the system can still function (e.g. water levels)

Static

no change, an inanimate object (no obvious inputs and outputs)

Positive feedback

an effect is reinforced driving the system out of equilibrium and eventually to establish a new equilibrium

Negative feedback

an effect is reversed and re-establishing an equilibrium

Carbon sink

the carbon is being taken out of the atmosphere and fixed into living systems (e.g. photosynthesis)

Resilience

the ability to avoid tipping points (to maintain a steady equilibrium in face of disturbances)