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All 29 Flashcards — Storages and flows
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Question
In system diagrams, what do boxes represent?
Answer
Boxes represent storages (stocks) where matter, energy, or information accumulates over time.
💡 Hint
Box = storage.
Question
What is the difference between an input and an inflow?
Answer
An input is the thing that moves (e.g., water). An inflow is the process moving it into a storage (e.g., rainfall).
💡 Hint
Thing vs process.
Question
What is a storage (stock) in a system?
Answer
A storage is a place where matter, energy, or information builds up over time (e.g., water in a reservoir, CO2 in the atmosphere).
💡 Hint
Storage = what can build up.
Question
What is a storage (stock) in a system?
Answer
A storage is a place where matter, energy, or information builds up over time (e.g., water in a reservoir, CO2 in the atmosphere).
💡 Hint
Storage = what can build up.
Question
What is the difference between an input and an inflow?
Answer
An input is the thing that moves (e.g., water). An inflow is the process moving it into a storage (e.g., rainfall).
💡 Hint
Thing vs process.
Question
In system diagrams, what do boxes represent?
Answer
Boxes represent storages (stocks) where matter, energy, or information accumulates over time.
💡 Hint
Box = storage.
Question
In an exam, which phrasing is correct: “rainfall is an input” or “rainfall is an inflow”?
Answer
“Rainfall is an inflow.” The water is the input; rainfall is the flow process.
💡 Hint
Say: rainfall = inflow.
Question
What is a flow in a system?
Answer
A flow is the movement of matter, energy, or information into or out of a storage, changing the amount stored.
💡 Hint
Flow = movement that changes storage.
Question
In system diagrams, what do arrows represent?
Answer
Arrows represent flows moving matter, energy, or information into or out of storages.
💡 Hint
Arrow = flow.
Question
In system diagrams, what do arrows represent?
Answer
Arrows represent flows moving matter, energy, or information into or out of storages.
💡 Hint
Arrow = flow.
Question
What is a flow in a system?
Answer
A flow is the movement of matter, energy, or information into or out of a storage, changing the amount stored.
💡 Hint
Flow = movement that changes storage.
Question
In an exam, which phrasing is correct: “rainfall is an input” or “rainfall is an inflow”?
Answer
“Rainfall is an inflow.” The water is the input; rainfall is the flow process.
💡 Hint
Say: rainfall = inflow.
Question
What is dynamic equilibrium in a system?
Answer
Dynamic equilibrium occurs when inflows equal outflows, so the storage stays constant even though flows continue.
💡 Hint
Inflow = outflow.
Question
What is an inflow and what does it do?
Answer
An inflow is a flow that enters a storage and increases the amount stored (e.g., rainfall filling a reservoir).
💡 Hint
Inflow = into the box.
Question
What condition creates dynamic equilibrium?
Answer
Dynamic equilibrium occurs when inflows equal outflows, keeping the storage constant.
💡 Hint
Inflow = outflow.
Question
What is an inflow and what does it do?
Answer
An inflow is a flow that enters a storage and increases the amount stored (e.g., rainfall filling a reservoir).
💡 Hint
Inflow = into the box.
Question
What is dynamic equilibrium in a system?
Answer
Dynamic equilibrium occurs when inflows equal outflows, so the storage stays constant even though flows continue.
💡 Hint
Inflow = outflow.
Question
What condition creates dynamic equilibrium?
Answer
Dynamic equilibrium occurs when inflows equal outflows, keeping the storage constant.
💡 Hint
Inflow = outflow.
Question
What is a buffer in a system?
Answer
A buffer is a storage that absorbs sudden changes in flows, slowing system response and creating time delays.
💡 Hint
Buffer = slows change.
Question
What happens to a storage when inflows are greater than outflows?
Answer
The storage increases because more enters than leaves (e.g., reservoir fills when rainfall exceeds evaporation).
💡 Hint
In > out = storage up.
Question
What happens to a storage when inflows are greater than outflows?
Answer
The storage increases because more enters than leaves (e.g., reservoir fills when rainfall exceeds evaporation).
💡 Hint
In > out = storage up.
Question
What is a buffer in a system?
Answer
A buffer is a storage that absorbs sudden changes in flows, slowing system response and creating time delays.
💡 Hint
Buffer = slows change.
Question
What is an outflow and what does it do?
Answer
An outflow is a flow that leaves a storage and decreases the amount stored (e.g., dam release reducing reservoir water).
💡 Hint
Outflow = out of the box.
Question
What is an outflow and what does it do?
Answer
An outflow is a flow that leaves a storage and decreases the amount stored (e.g., dam release reducing reservoir water).
💡 Hint
Outflow = out of the box.
Question
What is a system boundary and why does it matter?
Answer
A system boundary is an imaginary line separating the system from its surroundings; choosing it affects what inputs/outputs are included and how useful the model is.
💡 Hint
Boundary = what you include.
Question
In “explain using systems” questions, what 4 things should you identify?
Answer
1 storage, 2 inflows, 3 outflows, 4 whether it is in equilibrium or changing.
💡 Hint
Storage + in + out + state.
Question
In system diagrams, how are storages and flows usually shown?
Answer
Storages are shown as boxes and flows are shown as arrows; thicker arrows often represent larger flows.
💡 Hint
Box = storage; arrow = flow.
Question
What is a system boundary and why does it matter?
Answer
A system boundary is an imaginary line separating the system from its surroundings; choosing it affects what inputs/outputs are included and how useful the model is.
💡 Hint
Boundary = what you include.
Question
In system diagrams, how are storages and flows usually shown?
Answer
Storages are shown as boxes and flows are shown as arrows; thicker arrows often represent larger flows.
💡 Hint
Box = storage; arrow = flow.
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