GEOG1120 Lecture Notes - Geosphere, Hydrosphere, Ultraviolet
9 Mar 2014
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Document Summary
Using systems approach: stresses interrelationships between physical environment and societies. See the big picture and connect the dots. Systems: function together as a whole even through its made of many different parts; no difference between human and physical systems. *change is the only true fact in the universe* Open systems: exchange a lot of energy and matter with outside systems (ex. Closed systems: exchange energy but not matter with outside systems (ex. Isolated systems: doesn"t exchange energy or matter with outside systems (ex. Systems made up of diverse components that function as a whole. There is a flow of energy and mass between the components. System will not change unless there is a disturbance. Stable equilibrium: system will return to this state if slightly disturbed. Unstable equilibrium: a small disturbance will carry a system from one equilibrium state to another. Threshold event: small change that causes the systems to shift from one equilibrium state to another.
