Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
External changes refer to the alterations that occur outside a system, which can affect the conditions of the system but do not change its internal structure.
A type of system that can exchange both matter and energy with its surroundings. This is like having an open door policy where friends (energy/matter) can come in and out freely from your room (system).
A type of system that can exchange energy but not matter with its surroundings. Imagine if you could only let light and sound into your room, but no people or objects.