Principles of Technology
Unit 1: FORCE
Unit Objectives:◦ Describe in your own words, what force is.◦ Give examples of complex technological devices where
force must be controlled, measured, or applied◦ Describe what force, pressure, voltage and temperature
difference have in common◦ Describe or predict what happens to an object when
forces on it are balanced and when forces on it are unbalanced.
◦ Measure force in mechanical, fluid, electrical and thermal systems.
◦ List occupations that require technicians to measure, control, or otherwise deal with force in complex devices.
Force
Forces are a part of our everyday activities Mechanical, fluid, electrical and thermal
energy systems involve forces. A prime mover, such as an unbalanced
force, pressure difference, voltage difference, or temperature difference, causes whatever it “acts” on to move.
Mathematics is essential for technicians working in advanced-technology occupations.
Main Ideas
Force is a push or a pull.
What is force?
A force can◦ Cause an object to start moving or to move
faster◦ Cause a moving object to change direction◦ Cause an object to slow down or to stop
moving◦ Change the shape of an object
What can force do?
Force is what makes things move in a mechanical system.
In a mechanical system, force is called the “prime mover.”
What are the four energy systems?
Each system has a prime mover that acts very much like force.
Other important energy systems
Energy Systems Prime Movers
Mechanical Force
Fluid Pressure
Electrical Voltage
Thermal Temperature Difference
Automobile◦ Mechanical – Pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft◦ Fluid Systems – Hydraulic system transfers motion
from the brake pedal to the brake shoes◦ Electrical system – battery, alternator, spark plugs◦ Thermal – or cooling system – radiator, fan and
thermostat, water pump, liquid coolant,
Energy Systems in Combination
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