Technology

• The human process of applying knowledge, tools and skills to satisfy our needs and wants and to extend our capabilities.

Systems…

A system is an arrangement of components to make a whole or work

together.

What systems come to mind?

Systems

• Electrical - Example?

• Mechanical - Example?

• Structural - Example?

Sample Systems

• Technological – Car

– Radio

– Computer

– Clock

– Plumbing

– Lamp

– Car Exhaust System

• Non-technological – Nervous

– Government

– Digestion

– Respiratory

4 Parts of a System

• INPUT

• PROCESS

• OUTPUT

• FEEDBACK

Input

• Information

• Materials/Parts

• Energy

• Time

• Tools/Machines

• People

• Capital

Process

• Information-processed to change its form to send, receive, store, or retrieve a message or signal.

• Material-processed to change its size or shape, and physical, chemical, or electrical characteristics.

• Energy-processed to change its form from one to another. – Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Thermal, Light,

Nuclear, Sound

Manufacturing Processing

• Identify the components.

• Identify the materials of the components.

• Identify the information needed to manufacture the system.

• Identify the energy converted in making the system.

Output

• Expected Desired– Generate electricity

• Expected Undesired – Produce smoke and ash by-

products (pollution)

• Unexpected Desired – Produce heat for a

greenhouse facility with waste energy

• Unexpected Undesired – Cause dead lake from acid

rain

Output

• Identify the outputs in a salt water fish tank.– ED

– EU

– UD

– UU

(PhotoSW)

Feedback

• Feedback is the extra effect of an output in a system. The screen might not be turned on or may not be displaying the key stroke, the pain might be so great that we faint while the brain readjusts.

• Can be in the form of Sound, Images, or Energy• What sound, images, or energy is given off in a

salt water fish tank?

SAMPLE SYSTEMS

• Mechanical– Bicycle– Manual pencil sharpener– Fishing reel

• Structural– Bridge– House– Skyscraper

• Electrical– Lamp– Speaker– Motor– telephone

• Transportation– Vehicle

– Plumbing

– Aqueduct

– Subway

• Electronic– Cell phone

– Computer

– DVD Player

Impacts

• The outputs of a system are the impacts of technological activity

• The new problems and benefits created by solutions to other problems

• What problems have been created from Technology?

• What benefits have been created from Technology?

Trade-off

• Are created by technological choice• Give and take needed to reach a compromise for a

solution. – Electric motor boat vs. Gas power motor boat

– DSL vs. Dial-Up

– College vs. Trade School

– 3.1 Megapixels vs 5.0 Megapixels

• What trade-offs exist with the comparisons above?

Risks

• The expected undesired outputs– Known damage– Known ill effects

• The unexpected undesired outputs– Unforeseen damage– Unknown ill effects

• What Technology do you know has risks and what are the risks?