Systems in Science

A system is made up of two or more parts
that combine to perform a single function
(job, purpose).

Inputs & Outputs

● Matter - anything that takes up space

and has mass

● Energy
● Information

Inputs and outputs of any

system can be

▪ Input is something that goes into a

system to help it do its job.

▪ Output is something that comes out

of a system when it does its job.

ex. Xbox

Input = game

Output = sound, heat

● Both matter and energy can

enter andleave

● Information can too

Open System

Plants are open
systems. Plants take
in light energy, plus
H2O and CO2 and give
off O2, new growth,
fruit (all matter).

Closed System

●matter cannotenter or leave; the

amount of “stuff” stays the same

●A closed system can exchange

energy with its surroundings
likeheatandlight(types of
energy).

No matter can
leave or enter the
sphere, though
light and heat
energy can.

ex. Ecosphere is a closed system.

Open (A) or Closed (B) System?

Open (A) or Closed (B) System?

Open (A) or Closed (B) System?

Open (A) or Closed (B) System?

Open (A) or Closed (B) System?

Open (A) or Closed (B) System?

Open (A) or Closed (B) System?

Open (A) or Closed (B) System?

Systems have
Boundaries

A Boundary is the outside border
or surface of a system. It defines
what system we are studying.

Humans define the boundaries.

ex. When we study earth, we
can study
● The atmosphere
● The oceans

Subsystems

A subsystem is a smaller part of a system
that has its own job but also works in a larger
system.

We don’t look like Jabba the Hutt or a blobfish!

The universe is gigantic &
complicated. Using systems
allow us to focus on what we
want to study.

Why use systems?

Practice: Identify each system as open

or closed.