Mechanical Systems
UNIT Mechanical Systems How many mechanical systems have you used today? You may not realize it, but you use mechanical systems all the time to do simple tasks. When you ride a bicycle, open a can, or sharpen a pencil, you have used a mechanical system to help you complete a task. All mechanical systems have an energy source. The energy could come from electricity, gasoline, or solar energy, but often the energy comes from humans. (Remember that huge structures such as the pyramids were built solely using human power!) The energy needed to move this bicycle and this plane, for example, comes from a pedalling human. Can you see how machines help us perform tasks we might find difficult to do otherwise? Imagine opening a can without a can opener. Could you fly without a plane or other type of aircraft? In this unit, you will learn how some small, human-powered mechanical devices work. You will see that tools as simple as a pair of scissors function on the same principles as massive equipment powered by fluid pressure and heat engines. You will discover the main factors in the efficient operation of mechanical systems. You will also design and build your own mechanical devices — including some powered by hydraulics and pneumatics — and investigate their efficiency. Finally, this unit examines how machines have changed as science and technology have changed. 266 Unit Contents TOPIC 1 Levers and Inclined Planes 270 TOPIC 2 The Wheel and Axle,Gears, and Pulleys 285 TOPIC 3 Energy, Friction, and Efficiency 296 TOPIC 4 Force, Pressure, and Area 304 TOPIC 5 Hydraulics and Pneumatics 313 TOPIC 6 Combining Systems 326 TOPIC 7 Machines Throughout History 332 TOPIC 8 People and Machines 342 UNIT 4 • How do we use How many machines have you used today? machines to do work and How do we use mechanical devices such as to transfer energy? levers and pulleys to help us perform tasks? In Topics 1–3, you will learn about lots of How can we design and • mechanical devices.
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