It can cause a phase change (e.g., from liquid to gas).

The system's center of mass accelerates as if all the mass were concentrated there and all external forces acted there.

It can alter the system's characteristics without changing its composition.

It changes its internal molecular structure.

It alters the interactions and arrangements of components within the system.

Open systems exchange both energy and mass; closed systems exchange energy but not mass.

Individual components may have unique behaviors, while the system's behavior is a result of the collective interactions of those components.

Symmetrical: Center of mass is on lines of symmetry. Nonuniform: Requires integration using $\vec{r}_{mathrm{cm}}=\frac{\int \vec{r} dm}{\int dm}$.

Linear mass density ($\lambda$) applies to one-dimensional objects, while variable density ($\rho(r)$) applies to three-dimensional objects.

Microscopic properties relate to individual components. Macroscopic properties are the cumulative effects of individual component interactions.

A system that allows both energy and mass transfer with its surroundings.

A system that allows energy transfer but not mass transfer with its surroundings.

A system that does not exchange energy or mass with its environment.

Properties that arise from the collective interactions of individual components within a system.

The average position of all the parts of the system, weighted according to their masses.