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Is calledisolated thermodynamic system to one that does not exchange energy or matter with the environment in which it develops. They are, therefore, ideal systems, non-existent in reality except for a certain period of time and according to certain considerations.
There are two possible uses for the term isolated system, one in the field of electronics and the other in the field of thermodynamics.
In electronics, isolated electrical systems are those that operate outside of an established supply network, and do so remotely thanks to autonomous power sources, such as solar panels, wind turbines or geothermal sources.
However, the most common use of the term is the second, referring to thermodynamics or branch of physics that studies the mechanics of heat and energy.
In both cases it is calledsystem to a portion of reality whose elements operate through a more or less ordered relationship with each other. The human body, planet Earth or even the Milky Way can be understood as systems.
- See also: Thermal equilibrium
Types of thermodynamic system
This branch of physics usually distinguishes between three types of system:
- Open system. That freely exchanges matter and energy with its environment, such as the water of the oceans, susceptible to heating, evaporating, cooling, etc.
- System closed. That exchanges only energy but not matter with its environment, such as a closed plastic container, whose content cannot be removed but can be cooled or heated.
- Isolated system. That it does not exchange matter (mass) or energy with its environment. There are no perfectly isolated systems.
- It can serve you: Open, closed and isolated systems
Examples of isolated systems
- Wetsuits. The use of these suits protects during a period of time the heat exchange between the water and the body, and prevents it from penetrating inside.
- The thermos. For a certain time, the thermos are able to isolate the heat contained in their interior and prevent the leakage and entry of energy and matter.
- A heat cavitation.The cellars operate based on the extreme reduction of heat input, keeping their content cold for a certain period. Once that time range is exceeded, the content will begin to heat up.
- Igloos of the Eskimos. They are designed in such a way that no heat or matter enters or exits.
- A gas cylinder. Contained under pressure inside, the gas is isolated from the matter and energy around it under normal conditions, as the heating of the cylinder may force the gas to expand and a tragedy occurs.
- The universe. The universe is an isolated system since nothing enters or leaves it, neither matter nor energy.
- Canned food. Under normal conditions, these foods are far from any exchange of matter or energy. Sure, it would be possible to heat or cool the can, and even melt it in extreme temperatures, but even then for a (brief) moments the food will be completely insulated from heat.
- A safe.The content in the safes is separated by thick hermetic layers of metal from its environment, isolated from matter and energy, at least under normal conditions: if we throw it into a volcano it is certain that it will melt and its contents will be incinerated.
- A hyperbaric chamber. Useful precisely to isolate divers with nitrogen bubbles in their blood from atmospheric conditions, a hyperbaric chamber does not allow the exchange of matter or energy, or at least not in appreciable and significant quantities.
- Follow with: Homeostasis
