Rate of Change

The Nature of ChangeCharacteristics of Change: observations of the environment around us show that change is occurring all the time

Change: the occurrence of an event

Event: occurs when the properties of matter or a system are altered (SOMETHING changes)

* Fast: weather; earthquakes

* Slow: seasons; erosion; plate tectonics

The crust (ground) under our feet is MOVING!!

The Nature of Change CtdFrames of reference: space (location) & time give us a basis for comparison

Cyclic Change: measured over a long period of time

- set patterns that repeat themselves on a regular basis

Cyclic Examples: seasons tides moon phases

NOT cyclic: volcanoesEQstornadoes

Predicting Change: If the change is cyclic then the amount (and direction) of change are predictable

Example:Bowling ball on a hill…

The Nature of Change CtdEnergy & change: during change, energy flows from one place that loses energy to another place that gains energy (high energy to low energy)

The Nature of Change CtdInterface: the boundary between different materials or systems

* Example: Please put your hands flat on your desk *

Rate of Change: Pg.1 of ESRTsRate of change: amount of change compared to how long it takes for the change to occur

Rate of change =Change in value change in time

How fast does the temperature change?

=

Example:

650 C – 450 C 8:00 - 8:05

200 C5 min

= 40 C / min

Temp at 8:00 = 650 C

Temp at 8:05 = 450 C

Rate of Change ContinuedOn a graph, the higher the rate of change the steeper the slope of the line

field value

time

Faster change

Environmental EquilibriumEquilibrium: condition of balance between opposite forces

Dynamic Equilibrium: balance between changes that are both in motion

- amount of water into lake = amount of water leaving lake