Science Test Review

What are systems? 

• Systems are a group of parts that work together to perform a desired task.

• Examples of systems are nervous systems, computers, and a car.

Know what physical and social systems consist of. 

• Physical systems: systems that rely on a group of physical parts to perform a function (physical parts) 

• Social systems: A group of people or other organisms, joining together to perform a task and establish relationships (group of people or other organisms)

When there are changes in inputs and other conditions, how do systems change? 

• When the input or conditions change, the system changes too, because the output depends on the input.

Know what systems thinking is and be able to identify it.

• Systems thinking means looking at how all the parts work together, the inputs, outputs, and side effects, and how they affect people and living things.

What do all systems have?

• All systems have an input, output, and side effect.

Be able to recognize examples of social systems, physical systems, and industries.

• Social systems: Groups of people or other organisms working together. (school, healthcare, coyote pack)

• Physical systems: Group of physical parts that work together. (solar system, camera, jackhammer)

• Industries: Economic systems, businesses, workers, and tools working together. (agriculture, technology, education)

Be able to explain a natural social system.

• Natural social system: Social systems that are from the earth or aren't human-made.

Know the inputs and outputs of a clock radio.

• Inputs: Batteries/electricity and a radio signal.

• Outputs: Time display, sound (radio/alarm)

Know what a subsystem is.

• Subsystem: A smaller system inside of a system that has its own inputs, outputs, but it helps the larger system function. (Car, engine system, and the human body, nervous system)

Garden System Example

• Inputs: Sunlight, soil, nutrients, and water.

• Outputs: Flowers, fruits, vegetables, and homes for animals.

Be able to identify one physical and one social system. (Similarities and differences)

Physical System: Oven

• Input: Raw food and heat
  
  

• Output: Cooked food
  
  

• Side effect: Uses electricity/gas, heats up the room
  
  

Social System: Healthcare

• Input: Sick or injured people
  
  

• Output: Treatment or recovery
  
  

• Side effect: Wait times, emotional stress
  
  

Similarities:

• Have input, output, and side effects
  
  

• Have a purpose
  
  

• Have components working together
  
  

Differences:

• Oven: Cooks food, uses mechanical and electrical parts, physical object, fast results
  
  

• Healthcare: Improves health, involves people and social structures, group-based, slower results