Engineering Basics
What do engineers do?
Solve problems by designing solutions
What 3 main components are used in a simple circuit?
Battery, wire, bulb
What is an energy resource?
Something used to produce energy
What is the first step engineers take?
Define the problem
What problem did Grammy have?
She couldn't easily hold a flashlight
What is an engineering problem?
Something people want to fix or improve
What is a circuit?
A path that electricity flows through
What is a renewable resource?
A resource that can be replaces (like sun or wind)
Why do engineers do research?
To understand the problem and find solutions
What problem did the community have?
Planned power outages
What are criteria?
Goals a solution must meet
What must happen for a bulb to light?
The circuit must be closed
What is a nonrenewable resource?
A resource that can run out
Why do engineers test their designs?
To see if they work
What was the doorbell problem?
It couldn't connect to building wiring
What are constraints?
Limits (materials, time, cost)
What is electric current?
The flow of energy through a circuit
Give an example of a renewable resource
Solar (sun), wind, water
Why do engineers improve designs?
To fix problems and make them better
Name one energy source for the doorbell
Batteries, crank generator, or solar panels
What are failure points?
Places where a design doesn't work
What happens in an open circuit?
Electricity cannot flow
Why are some energy sources better than others?
They have different advantages and disadvantages
Why is teamwork important in engineering?
Different roles help solve problems better
What must the doorbell system do?
Make sound AND light when activated