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Which of the following is an example of a closed system?

1) A river drainage basin
2) An automobile
3) A forest
4) Earth (in terms of matter)

1 Answer

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Final answer:

An example of a closed system is Earth in terms of matter, as it can exchange energy but not matter with its surroundings. Automobiles, river drainage basins, and forests are not closed systems since they exchange both matter and energy.

Step-by-step explanation:

In physics, the concept of a closed system refers to a system that can exchange energy but not matter with its surroundings. Examples of closed systems include a sealed pouch of a ready-made dinner that is heated in boiling water without exchanging matter, or a sealed thermos of coffee that can lose heat over time but does not exchange matter.

An automobile is not considered a closed system as it exchanges both matter (such as air and fuel) and energy (heat and work) with the surroundings. Similarly, a river drainage basin and a forest are open systems, because they experience both matter and energy exchanges with their environments. The Earth, in terms of matter, is the closest example of a closed system provided, as it mostly does not exchange matter with its surroundings, but it does exchange energy, such as solar radiation.

The law of conservation of matter applies to closed systems, indicating that the amount of matter remains constant within a closed system.

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