What type of system allows both energy and matter to be exchanged?

An open system is one that allows both energy and matter to be exchanged with its surroundings. This means that in an open system, not only can energy in the form of heat or work be transferred in or out, but also mass can flow in and out of the system.

In practical terms, examples of open systems include processes like boiling water in an open pot where steam (matter) escapes to the environment while heat (energy) is being transferred. Additionally, biological systems, like humans or animals, are also open systems because they take in food and oxygen (matter) and expel waste and carbon dioxide (matter), all while exchanging energy through metabolic processes.

The other systems have restrictions on exchanges. An isolated system cannot exchange either matter or energy, a closed system can exchange energy but not matter, and a thermally insulated system is specifically focused on preventing energy exchange, particularly heat, with the environment. Thus, open systems are defined by their ability to engage dynamically with both mass and energy, making them essential for understanding a wide range of physical and biological processes.