What is a system?

Why use systems? The universe is complex and gigantic. Scientists break things into smaller units they call “systems”. – They study each system – systematically- and how it interacts with other systems – No system operates in isolation!

This is a system

This is a system…

This is a system

So what makes a system? Two or more individual parts that work together to perform a single function and combine to form a whole.

Wait - what is it? Two or more individual parts that work together to perform a single function AND combine to form a whole.

This is a system… khurramweb.com

This is a collection of parts khurramweb.com

This is a system… Two or more parts work together Transport a person Makes a bicycle khurramweb.com

What was our definition again? Two or more individual parts that work together to perform a single function and combine to form a whole.

Is this a system? Yes – two or more parts work together to get you down the road Make skateboard

Is this a system?? Yes two or more parts work together help you communicate Make an iPhone

Is this a system? Yes – two or more parts work together to… what? Magnify? Observe better? Make clearer? All of them. Make a microscope

Systems Challenge…. In your table teams come up with 4 systems within the room. Make sure you can identify the parts, name its function and name the object You have 2 minutes…GO!

Why are systems important? They are a tool to help understand the world It can be too hard to study the whole, so we need to break the world up into systems

All systems have… INPUT: energy, information or matter that enters a system OUTPUT: energy, information or matter that is produced or altered by the system

Into and out of the system Input – Finger touches – Voice – Information Output – Light – Sounds – Phone signals – Information from apps – Etc…

Outputs Can Become Inputs OutputInput Output

Systems have… INPUT: energy, information or matter that enters a system OUTPUT: energy, information or matter that is produced or altered by the system BOUNDARIES – set the limits of the system – Where it is defines the system

System - Writing System

System: Writing system Parts Wood Metal Eraser Lead Hand Paper Arm Input – Blood from body – Energy from body Output – Letter

System – Hand/Pencil Parts Wood Metal Eraser Lead Hand Input – Blood from body – Energy from body Output – Lead on paper – Sound

System - Pencil Parts Wood Metal Eraser Lead Input – Warmth from finger touch – Energy of motion from fingers Output – Lead on paper – Sound

Systems have… INPUT: energy, information and matter that enters a system OUTPUT: energy, information and matter that is produced or altered by the system BOUNDARIES – set the limits of the system – Where it is defines the system SUBSYSTEMS: Most systems are composed of smaller systems or are part of a larger system – They are systems within systems

Subsystem - Pencil This pencil is a subsystem of this writing system

Subsystem: Digestive tract This digestive system is a subsystem of the human body system

Subsystem: Truck This truck system is a subsystem of the skateboard

Name 1 A pencil The edges of the Pencil Open

Heat from fingers Energy of motion Manufacturer Mood of holder The hand Etc.. The writers brain Wood Erase Lead Metal Moving Lead losing Eraser system Heat on paper Lead on paper Thoughts on paper The paper The notebook Proof reader Teacher Student’s grade Home life none Thoughts of writer Pencil Edges of pencil Open

System? Copy the following chart into your journal ItemSystemInputOutputOpen/closedSubsystem