Systems In Action

System Definition
• A system is a group of parts that function
together to form a specific task.
• One common example is a can opener. The
different parts of the can opener work
together to perform the simple task of
removing a can’s lid.
 System Components
• In most cases, systems contain many smaller
systems within them. These are called
subsystems.
• Each component of a system has a specific
task that must be performed for the system to
work well.
 Subsystems in a Can Opener
• The can opener contains two subsystems.
• The first subsystem is the holding and cutting
system.
• The second is the turning system.
 Mechanisms
• Subsystems contain mechanisms.
• Mechanisms are part of the subsystem that
change one type of force into another, one
type of energy into another, one type of
motion into another, or one type of action
into another.
 Mechanisms in a Can opener
• In the can opener the mechanisms that make
up the holding and cutting system are the
handles and the cutting wheel.
• The mechanisms that make up the turning
system are the crank and the turning wheel.
 Physical Systems
• Physical systems refer to systems that rely on a
group of physical parts to perform a function.
Usually named after the type of energy they use
(mechanical systems/mechanical energy, optical
systems/light energy).
• Natural examples include solar systems and
digestive systems.
• Human-made examples include mechanical
systems, optical systems and electrical systems.
Human Made Physical Systems
 Force
• A force is a push or pull on an object that may
result in a change of the objects motion or
shape.
• An example of a force is gravity
 Input
• The input is the force, energy, or resources
you put into a system.
• Inputs are all of the things that go into a
system to make it work.
• In the can opener example this would be the
force your hands put on the handles.
 Output
• The output is the task or service that a
system is designed to perform.
• Outputs are all the tasks or services that the
system performs.
• In the can opener example the output is the
turning and cutting of the can’s lid.
 Side Effects
• Side effects are the unintended or undesired
outputs of a system.
• For example the desired output of a car would
be motion while the side effects would be air
pollution, noise pollution, traffic congestion,
and the loss of habitats due to roads and
parking spaces.
 Systems Thinking
• Systems thinking involves taking into
consideration the inputs, outputs and side
effects of a system.
• It involves thinking about how the parts of a
system work together as well as
understanding how systems affect people
other organisms and the environment.
Activity- Common Physical Systems
Activity- Common Physical Systems
Each group will be given a common physical system. On the
chart paper provided each group needs to list;
1. The common name of the object
2. What type of system it is
3. The overall purpose of the system
4. The Input The Output
5. Any Side Effects
 Questions
• 1. Why are “input” and “output” good words to use
when discussing systems?
• 2. In your own words describe system thinking.
• 3. How might an understanding of components,
purpose, input output, and side effects help a repair
person determine how to fix a product?
• 4. Inter-means between or among, and connect
means to link. How does the word ”interconnected”
apply to systems and subsystems