Rate of Change

The Nature of Change Characteristics of Change: observations of the environment around us show that change is occurring all the time Change: the occurrence of an event Event: occurs when the properties of matter or a system are altered (SOMETHING changes) * Fast: weather; earthquakes * Slow: seasons; erosion; plate tectonics The crust (ground) under our feet is MOVING!!

The Nature of Change Ctd Frames of reference: space (location) & time give us a basis for comparison Cyclic Change: measured over a long period of time - set patterns that repeat themselves on a regular basis Cyclic Examples: seasons tides moon phases NOT cyclic: volcanoes EQs tornadoes Predicting Change: If the change is cyclic then the amount (and direction) of change are predictable

Example: Bowling ball on a hill… The Nature of Change Ctd Energy & change: during change, energy flows from one place that loses energy to another place that gains energy (high energy to low energy)

The Nature of Change Ctd Interface: the boundary between different materials or systems * Example: Please put your hands flat on your desk *

Rate of Change: Pg.1 of ESRTs Rate of change: amount of change compared to how long it takes for the change to occur Rate of change = Change in value change in time How fast does the temperature change? = Example: 65 0 C – 45 0 C 8:00 - 8: C 5 min = 4 0 C / min Temp at 8:00 = 65 0 C Temp at 8:05 = 45 0 C

Rate of Change Continued On a graph, the higher the rate of change the steeper the slope of the line field valuefield value time Faster change

Environmental Equilibrium Equilibrium: condition of balance between opposite forces Dynamic Equilibrium: balance between changes that are both in motion - amount of water into lake = amount of water leaving lake