⦁ Why is space considered to be closer to a closed system than on Earth?
Space is considered to be closer to a closed system than on Earth due to several reasons:
1. Limited external influences: In space, there are minimal interactions with external environments such as air, water, and other ecosystems. This allows for a more isolated and self-contained system.
2. Lack of significant atmospheric pressure: Space is a vacuum with extremely low pressure, which limits the exchange of matter and energy between the space environment and its surroundings. This absence of atmospheric pressure restricts the entry of external materials, making space relatively closed.
3. Limited resources: Space is devoid of readily available resources like air, water, and food. Astronauts and space missions need to bring all necessary supplies from Earth, while recycling and reusing them as much as possible. This need for resource conservation further contributes to the perception of space as a closed system.
4. Self-sustaining ecosystems: In certain closed environments on Earth (such as ecosystems within biospheres or sealed habitats), attempts are made to create self-sustaining ecosystems. Similarly, in space, closed systems like space stations aim to support human life with sustainable resource management and recycling, mirroring the concept of a closed system.
Although space is not a perfectly closed system, the relative absence of external influences and limited resource availability make it closer to a closed system compared to Earth's more interconnected and open ecosystem.