Science Chapter 1 Review Notes
A system is a group of parts that function together to perform a specific task. A system can either be
physical or social. Physical systems refer to systems that rely on a group of physical parts to perform a
function. Physical systems may be natural or human-made. Human-made physical systems include
mechanical systems, optical systems, electrical systems, hydraulic systems, and combinations of these. A
group of organisms working together to perform a task is a social system. Social systems may be natural or
human-made.
Examples:
Social Systems:
- Waste Management System
- Education System
- Healthcare System
Physical:
- Camera: Optical System, light energy
- Airplane: Hydraulic system, mechanical energy
- Car: Mechanical system & electrical system
In most cases, a system has smaller systems within it. These are called subsystems. Subsystems help the
system perform the task for which it is designed. Subsystems contain mechanisms. A mechanism is the part
of a subsystem that changes 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. In physical systems, forces make things move. A
force is a push or pull on an object that may result in a change in the object’s motion or shape. Natural
physical systems have subsystems and mechanisms too.
All systems (and subsystems) have inputs and outputs. Inputs are all of the things that go into a system to
make it work. Inputs may include forces, energy, and raw materials. Outputs are all of the tasks or services
that the system performs. While all systems have desired outputs, they often have undesired
outputs called side effects as well. Systems thinking involves thinking about how the parts of a system work
together, and also about trying to understand how systems affect people, other organisms, and the
environment.
Consumerism is the practice and belief that happiness and satisfaction come from purchasing goods and
services. Planned obsolescence describes the practice of designing products to break quickly or become
obsolete in the short to mid-term.
A system is a group of parts that function together to perform a specific task. A system can either be
physical or social. Physical systems refer to systems that rely on a group of physical parts to perform a
function. Physical systems may be natural or human-made. Human-made physical systems include
mechanical systems, optical systems, electrical systems, hydraulic systems, and combinations of these. A
group of organisms working together to perform a task is a social system. Social systems may be natural or
human-made.
Examples:
Social Systems:
- Waste Management System
- Education System
- Healthcare System
Physical:
- Camera: Optical System, light energy
- Airplane: Hydraulic system, mechanical energy
- Car: Mechanical system & electrical system
In most cases, a system has smaller systems within it. These are called subsystems. Subsystems help the
system perform the task for which it is designed. Subsystems contain mechanisms. A mechanism is the part
of a subsystem that changes 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. In physical systems, forces make things move. A
force is a push or pull on an object that may result in a change in the object’s motion or shape. Natural
physical systems have subsystems and mechanisms too.
All systems (and subsystems) have inputs and outputs. Inputs are all of the things that go into a system to
make it work. Inputs may include forces, energy, and raw materials. Outputs are all of the tasks or services
that the system performs. While all systems have desired outputs, they often have undesired
outputs called side effects as well. Systems thinking involves thinking about how the parts of a system work
together, and also about trying to understand how systems affect people, other organisms, and the
environment.
Consumerism is the practice and belief that happiness and satisfaction come from purchasing goods and
services. Planned obsolescence describes the practice of designing products to break quickly or become
obsolete in the short to mid-term.
