Before we proceed…?

SUB-TOPIC 1.3: ENERGY AND

EQUILIBRIA

Significant ideas:
• The laws of thermodynamics govern the flow of energy in a system
and the ability to do work.
• Systems can exist in alternative stable states or as equilibria
between which there are tipping points.
• Destabilizing positive feedback mechanisms will drive systems
toward these tipping points, whereas stabilizing negative feedback
mechanisms will resist such changes.
• THE LAWS OF THERMODYNAMICS GOVERN
THE FLOW OF ENERGY IN A SYSTEM AND
THE ABILITY TO DO WORK.

WHAT IS THERMODYNAMICS?
� Thermodynamics- the study of energy transfer &
transformations within a system
� Energy flows through systems, while matter circulates
around systems
⚫ Ex. Only 25% of the energy stored in gasoline is transferred
to motion of your car, the rest is given off as heat!!
 THE LAW OF CONSERVATION OF
MATTER

⮚
⮚ Matter
Matter only
only changes
changes form
form and
and recycled
recycled

⮚
⮚ There
There is
is no
no “away”
“away”
 LAWS GOVERNING ENERGY
CHANGES
First
First Law
Law of
of Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics (Energy)
(Energy)

⮚ Energy is not created or destroyed

⮚ Energy only changes form

⮚ You can’t get something for nothing

ENERGY
ENERGY IN IN == ENERGY
ENERGY OUT
OUT
1=1
1=1 (90%+10%)
(90%+10%)
input=output
input=output (90%
(90% LOST,10%
LOST,10% AVAILABLE)
AVAILABLE)
 LAWS GOVERNING ENERGY
CHANGES
Second
Second Law
Law of
of Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics

⮚ In every transformation, some energy is

converted to heat
⮚ You cannot break even in terms of energy
quality
⮚ Entropy (disorder) increases (90% LOST
as heat) and energy quality decreases
⮚ Available energy(10%);
growth,movement
� entropy is a measure of the degree of disorder/chaos or
randomness in a system;
� the greater the disorder the higher the level of
entropy/along the food chain;
� in metabolic processes/respiration, a high proportion of
energy is always changed to heat;
� heat is a more disordered form of energy than stored
chemical energy/lower grade energy/cannot do useful
work (so entropy increases);
MORE ON Which of the figure has order
and disorder?
ENTROPY…
Figure B
� Low entropy
� High entropy

Figure A

Why in the flow of energy heat

energy is considered as high disorder
and has high entropy?
Why chemical energy considered
oppositely?
DISCUSS THE ENTROPY AND
AVAILABLE ENERGY IN THE CASE OF;
� The universe

� The natural system

� Food chain
• SYSTEMS CAN EXIST IN ALTERNATIVE
STABLE STATES OR AS EQUILIBRIA
BETWEEN WHICH THERE ARE TIPPING
POINTS.
Two types of equilibrium (inputs=ouputs)
1.) Steady-state: Continuous inputs and outputs of energy and matter
but the system as a whole remains constant by negative feedback.
Ex. Eating exactly the calories I burn in
day
2.) Static: no change over time
Ex. Stack of books on a table

Tipping
point?
3.) Steady-state and unstable: Continuous inputs and outputs of
energy and matter but the system as a whole remains constant.
However after the disturbance, the system not return to stable-state;
-form new equilibrium
-caused by positive feedback mechanism
⚫ Ex. Over eating sugary food that lead to diabetes mellitus

Tipping
point?
WHERE IS THE MODEL OF LAW IN
THERMODYNAMIC CAN BE SHOWN IN
ENVIRONMENT?

� Which system is stable?

� Which system is static?

� Which system is stable-unstable-stable with new equilibrium?

SYSTEM REGULATION
• DESTABILIZING POSITIVE FEEDBACK
MECHANISMS WILL DRIVE SYSTEMS TOWARD
THESE TIPPING POINTS, WHEREAS STABILIZING
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISMS WILL RESIST
SUCH CHANGES.
⮚ Positive Feedback THE CONSEQUENCE OF
TIPPING POINTS
⮚ Negative Feedback
SYSTEMS USE FEEDBACK(RESPONSE)
� Two types of feedback
� 1.) Positive Feedback:
Results in further increase or
decrease in end result.
� Also called “vicious circle”
⚫ Ex. Increased temp. leads
to thawing of permafrost
which releases methane
gas. Methane gas traps heat
and increases temp further.
SYSTEMS USE FEEDBACK
�2.) Negative Feedback: Counteracts the
change that has occurred in a system
�Referred to as self-regulation of system
⚫ Ex. Increased body heat results in sweating which cools the
body back down to a normal level
HOW TO AVOID TIPPING POINT?
 RESILIENCE-STABILITY-EQUILIBRIA-
DIVERSITY

Which system has slower

response to disturbance?

Which system has faster

recovery?

√ higher diversity,more stable & resistant

√ nutrient-rich soil
√ bigger size of storage
� They produce abrupt and sometimes irreversible change,
are inherently difficult to predict.
� Used as reference points for assessment of risks and
options.
What is the command terms suitable for the given statements?
� Ecologists have identify and predict them and explain
the mechanisms behind them in real-world situations
using a combination of models and observations from
long-termWhatdatasets
is the or short-term
condition thatexperiments.
has been evaluated?
� No one may know the exact of it until long after it has
happened.
� It is difficult to determine the conditions under which
ecosystems experience it, because of their complexity.
 A Spoonful of Sugar

In every job that must be done

There is an element of fun
you find the fun and snap!
The job's a game

And every task you undertake

Becomes a piece of cake
A lark! A spree!
It's very clear to see

That a...
Spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
The medicine go dow-own
The medicine go down
Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
In a most delightful way

A robin feathering his nest

Has very little time to rest
While gathering his
Bits of twine and twig

Though quite intent in his pursuit

He has a merry tune to toot
He knows a song
Will move the job along

For a...
Spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
The medicine go down
The medicine go down
Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down
In a most delightful way
APPLICATIONS AND SKILLS:

� • Explain the implications of the laws of

thermodynamics to ecological systems.
� • Discuss resilience in a variety of systems.
� • Evaluate the possible consequences of tipping points.
� International-mindedness:
� • The use of energy in one part of the globe may lead to a
tipping point or time lag that influences the entire
planet’s ecological equilibrium.

� Theory of knowledge:
� • The laws of thermodynamics are examples of scientific
laws—in which ways do scientific laws differ from the
laws of human science subjects, such as economics?
the point at which a series of
small changes or incidents
becomes significant enough to
cause a larger, more important,
irreversible change.