Unit 1.2 Flashcards
(10 cards)
Gaia Hypothesis
- Created by James Lovelock in the 1970s
- The hypothesis proposes that the Earth functions as a living system with homeostatic mechanisms that regulate conditions on the planet.
Types of Systems
Open system, Closed system, and Isolated System
Open System
Exchanges matter and energy across the system boundary
Examples of Open System
Lakes, Forests, etc
Closed System
Exchanges energy but not matter across the system boundaries.
Examples of closed System
Global cycle, Eartm=h, Biosphere II
Isolated System
No exchange of energy or matter across the system boundaries
Transfer
occur when energy or matter flows and changes location but does not change its state
Transformation
occur when energy or matter flows and changes its state - a change in the chemical nature, a change in state, or a change in energy
Why is earth an almost closed system?
Because solar energy in large amounts enters the Earth’s system and some are eventually returned to space as long-wave radiation (heat)
