Significance of open, closed, isolated

[Jessa Maheras 4F]

I understand the difference between open, closed and isolated systems, but what is the significance of recognizing and understanding what type of system a reaction is when answering problems and doing calculations? Does the type of system affect what must stay constant in a reaction? What information does knowing the type of system give us?

[Rida Ismail 2E]

Well it is very important to know because you want to see what is naturally exchanged. In open both matter and energy is exchanged. In closed just energy is exchanged. And in isolated nothing is. The type of system definitely affects what stays constant.

[Megan Kirschner]

Exactly- it helps you determine which variables are constant in an equation (and can thus be substituted for 0s).

[Jialun Chen 4F]

For a closed system, heat can be exchanged but volume remains constant. An open system has constant pressure yet a changing volume. An isolated system has no energy exchange whatsoever (eg. bomb calorimeter).

[Jocelyn Thorp 1A]

For a closed system, heat can be exchanged but volume remains constant. An open system has constant pressure yet a changing volume. An isolated system has no energy exchange whatsoever (eg. bomb calorimeter).

exactly this! This information can be used to help solve problems. For example, for open systems, since pressure is constant (isobaric conditions), enthalpy is equal to the heat transferred (making the calculation much simpler).

[Maika Ngoie 1B]

It's important to spot the difference because it'll help better understand the relationship between the system and surroundings and to understand the corresponding variables for each system (i.e. open system=constant pressure, among others)

[Ruby Richter 2L]

So since the pressure is constant in an open system does that mean it is not constant in closed and isolated systems?

[Jessa Maheras 4F]

For a closed system, heat can be exchanged but volume remains constant. An open system has constant pressure yet a changing volume. An isolated system has no energy exchange whatsoever (eg. bomb calorimeter).

So, in an isolated system, if it has no exchange of energy, can work be done? What would the value of q be? Would q=0?

[Jialun Chen 4F]

For a closed system, heat can be exchanged but volume remains constant. An open system has constant pressure yet a changing volume. An isolated system has no energy exchange whatsoever (eg. bomb calorimeter).

So, in an isolated system, if it has no exchange of energy, can work be done? What would the value of q be? Would q=0?

Correct! q would be zero since the deltaU (internal energy) is zero, which we can also deduce that w=0.

[Kishan Shah 2G]

In my opinon. The most applicable scenario in which we would use our knowledge about closed, isolated, and open systems in when assessing whether there are changes in heat and work. For example since a bomb calorimeter is an isolated system there is no work done on the system.

[Lizette Noriega 1H]

The status of the system helps you recognize the presence/absence of exchange in energy and matter, thus allowing you to understand the relationship between the system and its surroundings (and helps you solve the problems given).

[Jessa Maheras 4F]

For a closed system, heat can be exchanged but volume remains constant. An open system has constant pressure yet a changing volume. An isolated system has no energy exchange whatsoever (eg. bomb calorimeter).

So, in an isolated system, if it has no exchange of energy, can work be done? What would the value of q be? Would q=0?

Correct! q would be zero since the deltaU (internal energy) is zero, which we can also deduce that w=0.

Alright great Julia Thank you!

[Samantha Lee 1A]

Well it is very important to know because you want to see what is naturally exchanged. In open both matter and energy is exchanged. In closed just energy is exchanged. And in isolated nothing is. The type of system definitely affects what stays constant.

I completely agree with what has been stated. Knowing what type of system the reaction is in is crucial for knowing how to solve the problem. Often, Dr. Lavelle will just state what type of system it is, ie. close system, and you have to know that just energy is exchanged. That extra knowledge is key to then solving the problem. Knowing the significance of each system is something that you have to memorize and know in order to apply it to a problem.

[Samudrala_Vaishnavi 3A]

Yes, it would be important to know which factors stay constant between a system and its surroundings. An open system is basically when both matter and energy and enter and exit the system (you can add moles of a substance or heat things up). A closed system is where the matter doesn't change but the energy can change (heat/ work). An example of this is like a bomb calorimeter where the volume is constant so the change in enthalpy is represented as delta H rather than delta U. An insulated system is when neither heat nor matter can be changed in a system.

[Hana Sigsbee 3B]

Knowing the type of system is important so you are aware if there is any exchange in matter or energy with the system's surroundings because if there is an exchange that would affect the makeup of the system.

[sophia kosturos 2B]

It is crucial to understand what type of system you are dealing with when solving problems because it helps you determine which values are changing and which values remain constant. For example, in an open system, both matter and energy can exchange with the surroundings so you must account for both value changes. In a closed system, only energy can exchange with the surroundings so only one value will change. Lastly, in an isolated system, neither energy nor matter is being exchanged with the surroundings so both values remain constant.

[Elizabeth Kaplan 3I]

Hi! I think that the different types of systems are significant because they reflect what is staying constant. For example, in open systems, both matter and energy can be transferred, so neither are constant, while in closed systems, only energy/heat can be transferred, so the amount of matter is constant.

[DPatel_2L]

It can help determine which variables are constant within the equation.

[IshanModiDis2L]

I think knowing open, closed, and isolated is fundamental for a variety of reason but especially when we are dealing with changes in heat and work. For example, isolated systems do no work done on the system.

[Xinying Wang_3C]

Yeah, I think when the question says it is a closes system that we have to imply there is the only energy exchange, etc. There is an implication aspect of indicating types of system.

[KhanTran3K]

Hey, I believe that the significance in knowing the difference between the different systems lies in what it can tell us about the transfer of energy, or lack thereof, and what variables in the system remain constant. When a system is open, matter and energy can be transferred into the surroundings, so we know that pressure remains constant, and for a closed system, we know that energy can be transferred to the surroundings, and volume is constant. In an isolated system, nothing can be exchanged or transferred so q and w both equal 0, which in turn makes delta u 0 as well. Correct me if I am wrong!

[Kimiya Aframian IB]

I understand the difference between open, closed and isolated systems, but what is the significance of recognizing and understanding what type of system a reaction is when answering problems and doing calculations? Does the type of system affect what must stay constant in a reaction? What information does knowing the type of system give us?

Hi! It is important to consider in a problem because it could indicate the presence (or lack of) a work and/or heat function in calculating a problem. If a problem gives us information about initial conditions of a system and its surroundings in a bomb calorimeter, this will differ from the same problem in an open beaker. Hope this helps!

[gabbi_r2C]

this can tell us whether a system is at constant volume (ie with a closed or isolated system) or when it is at constant pressure (ie with an isolated or open system), which can help in solving for internal energy and work of the system