Closed system

Diagram Systems

Closed system refers to a physical system that does not allow certain types of transfers (such as transfer of mass and energy transfer) in or out of the system. The concept is most frequently applied in physics, chemistry, and engineering to describe systems that are isolated from their environment in some manner. It contrasts with an open system, which exchanges energy and matter with its surroundings, and an isolated system, which does not exchange energy or matter with its surroundings.

Overview

In the context of thermodynamics, a closed system can exchange energy (as heat or work) but not matter, with its surroundings. An example of this is a steam engine that exchanges heat and work with its environment but does not exchange matter. The laws of thermodynamics apply differently to closed systems than they do to open or isolated systems. The first law of thermodynamics, for instance, states that the energy of a closed system is constant unless it is subjected to an external force.

Applications

Closed systems are studied in various scientific and engineering disciplines for different purposes:

• In physics, closed systems are used to study the fundamental principles of conservation laws, including the conservation of energy and momentum.
• In chemistry, closed systems help in understanding chemical reactions that occur without the loss or gain of matter from the surroundings.
• In engineering, designing a closed system can be crucial for controlling the environment of a process, such as in the case of a chemical reactor or a spacecraft.

Mathematical Modeling

Mathematical models of closed systems often involve differential equations that describe how the state of the system changes over time without external inputs of matter. These models are essential for predicting the future behavior of the system under various conditions.

Challenges

One of the main challenges in working with closed systems is ensuring that no matter is exchanged with the environment, which can be difficult in practical applications. Additionally, while energy can be exchanged, controlling and measuring this exchange accurately can also present challenges.

See Also

• Open system (thermodynamics)
• Isolated system
• Thermodynamics
• Conservation law

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