Isolated System Drawing

[Alison Trinh 1E]

Can someone explain the isolated system drawing Dr. Lavelle drew in lecture? What does the cloud-like drawing surrounding the flask represent?

[Robin Cadd 1D]

Basically, an isolated system can't exchange matter or heat with its surroundings. The cloud-like drawing around the flask represents insulation, and it's meant to convey that heat isn't being exchanged with the surroundings.

[Jamie Lee 1F]

He was trying to draw a puffer jacket! Insulation prevents a system from transferring energy or matter with its surroundings. Some examples of an isolated system are a bomb calorimeter and a thermos container.

[Justin Quan 4I]

In an isolated system, the system cannot exchange matter nor energy with the surroundings. So basically an isolated system is usually sealed, rigid, and has thermally insulating walls such as a thermos container. The image below visually shows the difference between the three types of thermodynamic systems.