Which is NOT an example of a closed system?

Question 3 options:

cup of tea with a lid on it

beaker of evaporating water

sealed water bottle

closed frying pan

beaker of evaporating water

The correct answer is the beaker of evaporating water.

To determine the option that is NOT an example of a closed system, we need to understand what a closed system is.

A closed system is one that does not exchange matter with its surroundings, but it can exchange energy. In other words, no mass is transferred in or out of the system, but energy can still be exchanged with the surroundings.

Let's analyze each option to identify which one does not fit this definition:

1. Cup of tea with a lid on it: This represents a closed system because even though matter (the liquid inside the cup) cannot escape, energy (heat) can still be exchanged between the cup and its surroundings through the lid.

2. Beaker of evaporating water: This also represents a closed system. Although the water molecules are escaping as vapor, they are still part of the system and will eventually condense and re-enter the beaker. Energy in the form of heat is exchanged during the process of evaporation.

3. Sealed water bottle: This is a closed system because no matter (water molecules) can escape the bottle, but energy can still be exchanged through the bottle's walls.

4. Closed frying pan: This is the option that does NOT represent a closed system. A closed frying pan does not allow matter (such as steam or vapor from cooking) to escape, but it also prevents energy exchange with the surroundings. This means that heat cannot be transferred through the lid or any other part of the pan, making it an example of an isolated system rather than a closed one.

Therefore, the correct answer is the closed frying pan.