ES Ch 2 Vocabulary

Front

Negative Feedback Loop

Back

A process that causes a system to change in the opposite direction from which it is moving, helping to maintain stability.

Front

Model

Back

A representation of an object or system used to explain and predict its behavior.

Front

First Law of Thermodynamics

Back

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

Front

Potential Energy

Back

Stored energy that has the potential to do work, such as energy in a compressed spring or a raised weight.

Front

Law of Conservation of Matter

Back

Matter cannot be created or destroyed in an isolated system; it can only change forms.

Front

Positive Feedback Loop

Back

A process that causes a system to change in the same direction as it is moving, often leading to exponential growth or decline.

Front

Kinetic Energy

Back

The energy of an object due to its motion, calculated as 1/2 mv², where m is mass and v is velocity.

Front

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Back

In any energy transfer, the total entropy of a closed system can never decrease over time.

Front

Electromagnetic Radiation

Back

Energy that travels through space in the form of waves, including visible light, radio waves, and X-rays.

Front

Thermal Energy

Back

The total kinetic energy of particles in a substance, related to temperature.