Natural Systems
What is a natural system?
A system that exists in nature and is not made by people.
What is an engineered system?
A system designed by people to do a specific task.
What is an input?
Something that goes into a system, like energy or matter.
What is a model?
A representation of a system or object.
What happened when wolves were removed from Yellowstone?
The elk population increased.
Name one example of a natural system in the human body.
Respiratory system.
What do lock and dam systems help ships do?
Travel upstream or downstream in steep or shallow waterways.
What is an output?
Something that comes out of a system.
Why are computer models useful for weather prediction?
They can analyze lots of data and make forecasts.
How did more wolves affect tree populations?
Trees increased because fewer elk ate them.
What is the input for the respiratory system?
Oxygen.
What is the output of the filling valve in a lock system?
Rising water levels.
In photosynthesis, what is the main input?
Sunlight and carbon dioxide.
Name a type of model that uses equations and numbers.
Mathematical model.
What is one effect of system interactions in a car?
Brake and suspension systems work together for safety.
What is the output of the respiratory system?
Carbon dioxide.
Why do engineers use system models when building cars?
To study how parts work together and find ways to improve them.
What is the output of shrimp during respiration in an ecosystem model?
Carbon dioxide.
What makes a physical model of a bridge useful for engineers?
It shows real-world proportions and helps test safety.
What might happen to bighorn sheep if elk numbers go down?
Their population might increase due to more resources.
Why is defining boundaries in natural systems helpful?
To make it easier for scientists to study and model them.
Give one reason engineers model a rocket before launching it.
To test design ideas safely and avoid costly errors.
What is feedback in a system?
When an output of a system becomes the input of another.
Why can’t models always be completely accurate?
Because they can’t include every variable or condition.
How do system models help society?
They help predict outcomes like weather, disease spread, and more.