Black Boxes
What is a black box?
A system that cannot be directly understood.
When people work together and share ideas and solutions
collaboration
What is a model?
A model explains how a system works.
What is the part of the go-cart that helps it roll along?
The wheels.
When designing a new product, scientists are constantly...
Testing, experimenting, observing, evaluating and redesigning.
Give me one example of a black box.
Examples: TV, phone, speaker, etc.
An opinion or position reached by a group as a whole
Consensus
Something you notice by watching and listening closely is...
observations
How do you provide the tension the go-cart needs to be self-propelled?
Rubber bands
What is tension?
A force in a material that has been stretched
Give me one example of a black box that is NOT mechanical.
The universe, human anatomy, etc.
What is a drought?
A long period of time during which there is very little or no rain.
If two mechanical parts are sliding past each other and creating a lot of heat, what do we call the word that describes this relationship?
Friction
What is the purpose of the axel?
To connect the wheels
What can happen if my hubs are not attached securely to the axle?
The wheels could go flying off as the go-cart starts moving.
What do you use to explore and discover the inside of a black box?
Your senses such as sight, tough, hearing
Who are Engineers?
A person who designs something useful
What is the difference between a physical model and a conceptual model?
Physical: 3D, you can touch it. Conceptual: is 2D, usually in your head or on paper.
What is the purpose of the bearing?
To support or guide for a rotating axle.
Define the problem or determine what characteristics it needs to have. Example: free-rolling, self-propelled.
Can a tree be considered a black box? Why or why not?
Yes; trees have a special system that helps sustain their life and promote their growth. Sometimes we cannot directly see how this system works, but we know it is there because of research.
What is funnel?
A device shaped like a hollow cone with a tube extending from the point
What is a design?
The way something is put together
How did some groups improve the traction of their go-carts?
They added rubber-bands to the tires to grip the floor better.
After a group wound up their cart and let it drive, they noticed when it finally stopped, it rolled backwards slightly. Why did this happen?
After the rubber-band unraveled, it still had momentum or force therefore it would cause the rubber band to go the opposite way, causing it to go slightly backwards.