I need to know how Earth is a closed system, but also and open system. Help?
2006-09-17 08:47:02 · 7 answers · asked by FallOutGirl 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
To elaborate a bit on Richard's answer, the Earth must also radiate enormous amounts of energy, as required by the principle of Conservation of Energy.
Because the system is balanced, we can USUALLY get by with ignoring energy inflow and outflow, and thus assume a closed system.
2006-09-17 09:16:00 · answer #1 · answered by Helmut 7 · 5⤊ 4⤋
Earth is a closed system! A closed system does NOT have matter coming in an out except for the rare meteor which does not count because its not happening every day is it? NO
In a closed system energy like the sun's energy CAN come in and out
Therefore Earth is a closed system.
2014-09-02 17:24:12 · answer #2 · answered by Jade 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The earth is not a closed system. We receive massive quantites of energy from the sun everyday. A closed system cannot have energy coming in or out.
2006-09-17 08:57:55 · answer #3 · answered by Chris J 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The Earth is not a closed system. If it were we wouldn't be able to receive any light or heat from the sun.
2006-09-17 09:05:58 · answer #4 · answered by Alan Turing 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is not...period. A closed system is "closed" to input and output from and to systems outside itself. Earth is constantly being bombarded by stuff from space and, in turn, it is constantly spewing stuff into space. Therefore, Earth is an open system, which does exchange stuff from outside itself.
To my way of thinking, there really is no such thing as a closed system. Even wind-up wrist watches have to be wound once in a while; that is input of energy. And the dials on that watch provide information to the wearer; that is output.
By their nature, systems expend energy. They have to; otherwise they wouldn't function. That energy has to be renewed and come from somewhere...the outside. Further, expended energy results in whatever the system is for, plus waste. Both these outputs go to the outside.
If we choose to ignore the input and output of a system to make working with it easier, but without losing the validity of the results, we can define the system to be closed. But in reality it is not. We are simply treating it as one to make working with it easier.
So, for example, if we choose to ignore the fact that Earth is constantly bombarded with water replenishing comets and other space debris and if we choose to ignore that water vapor is constantly expelled into space, we can talk about Earth's water system as a closed system. But we can do that only if ignoring those inputs and outputs gives us valid answers within tolerance limits.
PS: Literally tons of matter hits our planet every day from space; so anyone who says energy is the only input to Earth is mistaken. http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level2/meteoroids.html indicates about 3,000 metric tons of stuff hits Earth daily.
2006-09-17 09:16:23 · answer #5 · answered by oldprof 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
It depends upon how "closed" and how "open."
The components of most systems on earth remain on earth. In this sense, the earth is a closed system.
The exceptions to this rule fall into three different areas:
The influx of "extra-terrestrial" materials that hit the earth or burn up in the atmosphere.
The influx of radiation (but especially from the sun).
The leak of atmospheric gases from the upper atmosphere.
2006-09-17 08:49:55 · answer #6 · answered by Richard 7 · 10⤊ 2⤋
god wanted it to be
2006-09-17 08:53:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 12⤋