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Ess (Systems and Models)

1. A system is an organized collection of interdependent parts that perform a function through the transfer of energy and matter. A model is a simplified representation of a system that can be used to understand how it works and predict how it will respond to changes. 2. Models allow scientists to examine the effects of changes to a system without having to observe real events, and to communicate their findings to others more easily than explaining the entire complex system. However, models have limitations as environmental systems are very complex and it is impossible to account for all variables. Different models and people can also interpret results in different ways. 3. There are open systems that exchange both matter and energy with their surroundings, and closed systems that only exchange

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70 views7 pages

Ess (Systems and Models)

1. A system is an organized collection of interdependent parts that perform a function through the transfer of energy and matter. A model is a simplified representation of a system that can be used to understand how it works and predict how it will respond to changes. 2. Models allow scientists to examine the effects of changes to a system without having to observe real events, and to communicate their findings to others more easily than explaining the entire complex system. However, models have limitations as environmental systems are very complex and it is impossible to account for all variables. Different models and people can also interpret results in different ways. 3. There are open systems that exchange both matter and energy with their surroundings, and closed systems that only exchange

Uploaded by

Alvin Victor
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© © All Rights Reserved
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1.2.

Systems and Models


• A system is an organized collection of interdependent parts that perform a
function and which are connected through the transfer of energy and/or
matter.
• All parts are linked together and affect each other.
• A systems approach is a way of visualizing a complex set of interaction which
may be
ecological or societal.
• A system is composed of storages and flows.
• Flows provide inputs and outputs of energy and matter.
• Flowers are processes which may be transfers or transformations.
• In system diagram, storages are represented as rectangular boxes and flows
as arrows
with the arrow indicating the direction of the flow.
• A model is a simplified version of reality and can be used to understand how
a system
works and predict how it will respond to change

STRENGTHS OF MODELS
 Models allow scientists to simplify complex systems
and use them to predict what will happen if there are
changes to inputs, outputs, or storages.
 Models allow inputs to be changed and outcomes
examined without having to wait a long time, as we
would have to if studying real events.
 Models allow results to be shown to other scientists
and to the public, and are easier to understand than
detailed information about the whole system..

LIMITATIONS OF MODELS
• Environmental factors are very complex with many
interrelated components, and it may be impossible to take
all variables into account.
• Different models may show different effects using the
same data. For example, models used to predict the effect
of climate change can give very different results.
• Models themselves may be very complex and when they
are oversimplified they may become less accurate. For
example, there are many complex factors involved in
atmospheric systems.
• Because many assumptions have to be made about
these complex factors, models such as climate models
may not be accurate.
. The complexity and oversimplification of climate models,
for example, has led some people to criticize these
models.
• Different models use slightly different data to calculate
predictions.
• Any model is only as good as the data used. The data put
into the model may not be reliable.
• Models rely on the expertise of the people making them
and this can lead to impartiality.
• As models predict further into the future, they become
more uncertain.
• Different people may interpret models in different ways
and so come to different conclusions. People who would
gain from the results of the models may use them to their
advantage.

TYPES OF SYSTEMS.
Open system – exchanges both matter and energy with its
surroundings (e.g. ecosystem)
Closed system – exchanges energy but not matter with its surroundings. They
do not occur naturally on Earth. (e.g. nutrient cycles, Biosphere II – read about
it)

1.2.A1 Construct a system diagram or a model from a given set of


information

Your diagram must contain at least 3 types of


each of the following:

 Abiotic elements
 Autotrophs (plants/bacteria)
 Primary consumers (herbivores)
 Secondary consumers (omnivores)
 Tertiary consumers (carnivores)
 Organism numbers must have the necessary
 resources in the ecosystem to maintain its
 carrying capacity
TOPIC 1.3: ENERGY AND EQUILIBRIA.

SIGNIFICANT IDEAS.
Complexity and Equilibria.

Most systems are very complex. This increases stability and allows
the system to withstand stress and change better than a simple one.

Equilibria: the tendency of a system to return to an original state


following disturbance. At Equilibrium, a state of balance exists among
the components of that system
Steady-state equilibrium: a characteristic of open systems where
there are continuous inputs and outputs of energy and matter, but
the system as a whole remains in a more or less constant state (eg. a
climax ecosystem)
Static Equilibrium: there is no change over time (eq a pile of books
which does not move)
Stable Equilibrium: system tends to return to an equilibrium after
disturbance
Unstable Equilibrium: system returns to a new equilibrium after
disturbance

FOUR LAWS OF THERMODYNAMICS


WHAT IS ENTROPY

Entropy is a measure of the amount of disorder in a physical, or a biological,


system. The higher the entropy of a system, the less information we have about
the system.
 The direct measure of each energy configuration.
Low entropy means its contained and High entropy means the energy is spread
out

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