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The Systems Concept. River Lake Watershed Ridgetop Sediment Sed. Rock. A system is any part of the universe that can be separated to make observations. Lindsley, 8/99. Isolated System - no exchange of energy or matter. Closed System - energy may be exchanged.
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The Systems Concept River Lake Watershed Ridgetop Sediment Sed. Rock A system is any part of the universe that can be separated to make observations. Lindsley, 8/99
Isolated System - no exchange of energy or matter Closed System - energy may be exchanged. Open System - both energy, matter exchanged. Lindsley, 8/99
Open System: sunlight and water enter from outside, heat and water leave the island Lindsley, 8/99
Earth approximates a closed system The resources we have are ALL we will ever have. Energy enters as solar radiation, leaves as heat Almost no matter enters or leaves Lindsley, 8/99
4 Main Subsystems of Earth Biosphere = life Atmosphere = air (gases) Lithosphere = outer rigid shell of rock Hydrosphere = water Lindsley, 8/99
Earth is unique because of its water • Earth is the only terrestrial planet whose temperature cycles around the freezing point of water. Lindsley, 8/99
Water and its Phases Lindsley, 8/99
Conditions on Earth allow water to exist in all 3 of its phases Lindsley, 8/99