Try dismantling a pen……… Can you write easily with a dismantled pen?

Try dismantling a pen……… 1) You may say “YES”. But it might not be easy to hold the ink tube found in a pen to write a whole composition!!! It will get tiring after some time. 2) You will need the different parts of a pen such as an ink tube, the outer casing the cover etc to ensure that you can write effectively with a pen. 3) These many parts that form the pen makes up a system. So what exactly would you consider a system?

What is a system? A system is made up of 2 or more parts that work together to do a job. In the case of the pen, the different parts of the pen work together to enable us to write effectively and easily.

Is this a system? Why?

Is this a system? Guiding Questions: 1.Is it made up of 2 or more parts? 2.Do the parts work together to ensure it can do something/ function? If both answers are yes, it is a system.

Is this a system? Guiding Questions: 1.Is it made up of 2 or more parts? (Yes, it has the casing, the wire, the roller, buttons etc). 2.Do the parts work together to ensure it can do something/ function? (Yes, it work together to enable us to control what we want to select in a computer). So the mouse is a system!!!

Identifying systems Think of 5 different systems you can find in your house or in your pencil case. List them down and identify what each part of the system does.

Think about this….. Is an eraser a system? Guiding Questions: 1.Is it made up of 2 or more parts? 2.Do the parts work together to ensure it can do something/ function? If both answers are yes, it is a system.

Think about this….. Is an eraser a system? An eraser is not a system as it is made up of only one part. Guiding Questions: 1.Is it made up of 2 or more parts? No, only 1 part. 2.Do the parts work together to ensure it can do something/ function? We may be able to cut the eraser into pieces but each piece can still carry out its function. The small pieces do not need to work together to erase.

How many functions can this system carry out?

This system can carry out two separate function. 1.Write 2.Erase Even if the eraser is removed, the pencil can be used to write. This is a system because it is made up of many parts (the pencil lead, the wooden covering, the eraser, the metal covering for the eraser) and they have to work together to carry out its function. A system may have more than 1 function.

In the case of the pen, the pen has only one function- to write If I were to remove 1 part eg. the ink, we can’t write. If I were to remove the casing, we can’t write effectively. If I were to remove the cap, the ink may eventually dry up and we may not be able to use it.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS ATHLETE?

Think about this………. Systems are made up of parts that can be dismantled as all systems are non-living things.

Think about this………. Systems are made up of parts that can be dismantled as all systems are non-living things. Not necessarily true. As long as anything has two or more parts and they work together to carry out a function, it is a system. We do not need to be able to dismantle them.

Are YOU a system?

Yes!!! We are made of many different parts and they all have to work together

Is a plant a system?

Complex and simple systems Which of the following are complex systems and which are simple systems?