Definitions - Systems in Action

 

These are the current definitions that you should be studying.  Updated February 28th.

 

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This list is now complete.

 

System A structure that has parts that are connected and influence each other in some way.
Purpose What the system is to accomplish.
Input The things put into the system.  Can be physical or other (energy, movement, etc.)
Output What is obtained from the system.  Can be physical or other (energy, movement, etc.)
Components The parts of a system.
Processes The actions, taken by the system, that allow it to convert the input to the output.
Movement A change in location of all or part of the system.
Force A push or a pull that can cause movement.
Work The transfer of energy through motion.
Energy The ability to do work.
Efficiency A ratio of the work obtained from a system to the work put into the system.

or

A ratio of the actual mechanical advantage of a system to the ideal mechanical advantage of the system.
Lever A bar that is free to rotate about a fixed point.
Load The output force exerted by the lever.
Effort The input force exerted on the lever.
Fulcrum The lever's point of rotation.
Load Arm The distance between the load and the fulcrum.
Effort Arm The distance between the effort and the fulcrum.
Class 1 Lever A lever in which the fulcrum is between the load and the effort.
Class 2 Lever A lever in which the load is between the effort and the fulcrum.
Class 3 Lever A lever in which the effort is exerted between the fulcrum and the load.
Mechanical Advantage A ratio of what is produced by a machine (output) to what is put into the machine (input).

How many times "stronger" the system is.
Ideal Mechanical Advantage The mechanical advantage calculated based on measurements of dimensions of the machine.
Actual Mechanical Advantage The mechanical advantage calculated based on measurements of the actual input and output of the machine.
Wheel and Axle A simple machine that uses rotating parts fixed about a single axis.
Wheel (of a wheel and axle) The part of the wheel and axle that you turn.
Axle (of a wheel and axle) The part of the wheel and axle that turns as a result of the wheel being turned.
Driver Gear The gear that is being turned.
Follower Gear The gear that turns as a result of the driver turning.