This Power Point presentation was presented at the NSTA regional conference in Seattle, December 9, 2011 Images without permission for distribution have been removed, with italicized notes of what was shown. Feel free to add in your own creative systems!

Open and Closed Systems: It’s a MATTER of inputs and outputs Created by: Martha Mather (Highlands Middle School, Kennewick, WA) Vicky Smoot (Horse Heaven Hills Middle School, Kennewick, WA) Ken Brager (Amistad Elementary, formerly of Highlands Middle School, Kennewick, WA) Skateboard from first and second PowerPoints repeated Functioning sprinkler from first and second PowerPoints continued

We know about inputs and outputs inputs—things that get put in to make the system function (not a part of the system). outputs—stuff that gets put out of a system, sometimes what they do, and sometimes other things (not a part of the system).

Reminder: Inputs In order to carry out their purpose, systems need an input of some kind of – Energy – Matter – Information.

Remember: Forms of Energy Input There are lots of kinds of energy. Some common kinds are: ElectricalSound Thermal (heat)Light Mechanical Nuclear Chemical (food is one example; a battery is another)

Reminder: Outputs Outputs from a system can include – Energy – Matter – Information.

Remember: outputs can become inputs Sometimes the output from one system can become the input for another system. Repeated image from second PowerPoint of dog with ears blown back by fan. Repeated from second PowerPoint—image of woman listening to iPod through headphones.

That Brings Us to Open and Closed Systems We can describe systems as being open or closed. Closed Coke can.

Open Systems An open system is a system in which both matter and energy can enter and leave. Information can also enter and leave. What kinds of energy are inputs and outputs for this system? What kinds of matter are inputs and outputs?

Closed Systems In a closed system, matter cannot enter and leave. Only energy and information can. What kinds of energy can enter and leave this system? Why can matter not enter or leave? Repeated image of closed Coke can

How can systems change? When their boundary changes, they can become open or closed.

Boundaries can change Boundaries can physically change, like when part of a forest is cut down We can change boundaries when we want to think about just part of a system. For example, a doctor might consider your whole body system to see if you are healthy overall, or just look at your throat if you have a sore throat.

Changing Boundaries Example Next three slides are skateboarder example from second PowerPoint.

Changing Boundaries Example

Physical Boundary Change Picture of forest.

Physical Boundary Change Picture of forest with road through it.

Closed can become open; open can become closed Example: The closed system becomes open when an opening is created in the actual physical boundary. Side by side photos of repeated Coke can and open Coke can.

Closed can become open; open can become closed Plants are open systems. They have parts to help them survive. They take in light energy, plus matter (water and carbon dioxide and minerals) and give out matter (oxygen, new growth, leaves, fruit). Picture of water plant Elodea used in ecosystem in a bottle.

Closed can become open; open can become closed But if we expand our boundary to include the whole mini ecosystem that the plant is a part of, we are looking at a closed system. No matter can leave or enter the bottle ecosystem, though light and heat energy can. Completed ecosystem in a bottle from science kit.

Stump a friend Take a minute and think of an example of a system that is open or closed. Why do you think it is open or closed? Now, ask your friend about your system. Do they agree or disagree? How can you decide who is correct?

Why use systems? Because the universe is complex and gigantic. So, scientists break things into smaller units they call “systems”. That way, they don’t have to try to study everything at once. They can look at it system by system—or systematically.

Solar system image repeated from second PowerPoint.

Repeated image of Earth from space from PowerPoint 2.