2.3.2: Types of Systems

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Michael E. Ritter
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point via The Physical Environment

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Systems can be classified as open, closed, or isolated. Open systems allow energy and mass to pass across the system boundary. A closed system allows energy but not mass across its system boundary. An isolated system allows neither mass or energy to pass across the system boundary.

Open Systems

The ocean as an open system — Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): The ocean is an open system

The ocean is an example of an open system. The ocean is a component of the hydrosphere and the ocean surface represents the interface between the hydrosphere and the atmosphere that lies above. Solar radiation passes through the atmosphere and is absorbed by the ocean. The absorbed energy evaporates water from the ocean. As water vapor (mass) enters the atmosphere it carries with it the heat used to evaporate the water (called latent heat) and raises the air's humidity. If the humidity is high enough, condensation occurs, latent heat is released, and clouds are created. Continued condensation creates precipitation (mass) that falls back into the ocean. Hence, energy and heat (solar radiation, latent heat) as well as mass (water vapor and precipitation) passes across the boundary between the atmosphere and hydrosphere. All of the "spheres" of the earth system are considered open systems because energy and mass is exchanged between them.

Closed Systems

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): The Earth as a closed system

The earth system as a whole is a closed system. The boundary of the earth system is the outer edge of the atmosphere. Virtually no mass is exchanged between the Earth system and the rest of the universe (except for an occasional meteorite). However, energy in the form of solar radiation passes from the Sun, through the atmosphere to the surface. Earth in turn emits radiation back out to space across the system boundary. Hence, energy passes across Earth's system boundary, but not mass, making it a closed system.

The interface between systems is not always easy to identify, others more so. The interface between the hydrosphere and lithosphere at a shoreline is easy to recognize as a definite planar boundary between a solid and fluid. The interface between the atmosphere and hydrosphere is less easy to discern as the hydrosphere comprises both liquid water of the surface and water held in the air.

Concept Check \(\PageIndex{1}\)

What kind of system is a terrarium that has a tightly sealed glass lid? Why?

Answer: A terrarium is a closed system. A terrarium is a glass container holding plants and under this scenario has a closed glass lid. The glass serves as the boundary to the system. Energy, like solar radiation and heat can be transmitted through the glass. Moisture (mass), like that which is evaporated from the soil inside the terrarium cannot escape. Therefore a terrarium is considered a closed system, one that allows energy but not mass to across its system boundary.