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Systems Analysis
The world is so complex that scientists and students learn to define small portion of it for the
purpose of investigation. The units of investigation can be referred to as “systems”. All around
you are things that can be thought of as a system: your house, your pet, your friend, your local
department store. A system is a set of interacting or interdependent components forming an
integrated whole

A system has structure, it contains parts (or components) that are directly or indirectly
related to each other;

A system has behavior, it exhibits processes that fulfill its function or purpose;

A system has interconnectivity: the parts and processes are connected by structural and/or
behavioral relationships.
You must know that:
1.
2.
3.
4.
A system may be regarded as containing subsystems or be a subsystem itself
Boundaries of a system are your own choice depending on your purpose of investigation
The output of one system can become the input of another system.
In open systems, matter flows into and out of the system. In a closed system energy may
flow into or out of the system, but matter stays within the system
5. If the input of matter or energy is the same as the output, then the system is in
equilibrium. If the input is more/less than the output, then the system is thought to be
changing
You may visualize a system using this blank rubric:
Subsystem
Subsystem
Energy output
Energy input
System
Matter Output
Matter Input
Predict
changes
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This diagram illustrates a systems analysis of a hair dryer:
Subsystem
Subsystem
The motor with the fan
Metal coil Element (resistor),
with incoming wire
Energy output
Energy input
Convective Heat, Sound,
mechanical kinetic energy
Electrical energy
Electro-magnetic energy
Receiving System
Person’s head, the room
System
Matter Output
Matter Input
Heated Air Molecules
Air molecules
Predict changes
Wear of parts over time
Change in energy inputs
alters output
Molecules of plastic, nickel,
and chrome leach into the
environment
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Next you will try a Systems Analysis of your own using this example:
Subsystem
Subsystem
Energy output
Energy input
System
Receiving System
Matter Output
Matter Input
Predict changes
Receiving system