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4.4: Summary- The Properties of Closed Systems

  • Page ID
    88918
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    First, let’s reiterate that there is no such thing as a closed system, unless of course the universe is one! What we call a closed system is simply one for which we can measure the energy entering and exiting it and within which we can measure energy transfers and transductions (changes from one kind of energy to another). Features of closed systems can be defined by their properties:

    • Closed systems are experimentally defined by an investigator.
    • Defined standard conditions apply.
    • Energy entering or leaving the system is measurable.
    • Reactions reach equilibrium regardless of reaction rate.
    • Product and reactant concentrations at equilibrium are constant (hence the Keq).
    • Measured energy transfers/transductions are constant for a set of defined conditions.

    Now let’s turn our attention to open systems, since that’s what cells are!


    This page titled 4.4: Summary- The Properties of Closed Systems is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Gerald Bergtrom.

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