| A | B |
|---|
| alloy | a mixture of two or more metals |
| ampere | unit of measurement for electrical current |
| artificial intelligence | any use of machines to imitate human intelligence |
| balance | the way various parts of a design relate to one another |
| binary | number system that uses only 1 and 0 |
| bionics | the technology of making body parts |
| bit | short for binary digit |
| buoyancy | the tendency of an object to float when submerged in a fluid |
| CAD/CAM | computer-aided design/computer aided manufacturing |
| CPU | the "brain" of the computer |
| channel | the medium through which a message moves |
| circuit | a group of components connected together to do a specific task |
| compound | a substance formed by the combination of two or more elements |
| constraints | the limits imposed on a adesign solution |
| decoder | the element that converts a message back to a form understood by a receiver |
| digital circuit | circuit in which informaiton is coded in 1s and 0s |
| diode | a component allowing current to flow in one direction but not the other |
| ethical dilemma | difficult decision about whether something is right or wrong |
| frequency | the number of tiems that an elexctric signal changes each second |
| gas chromatograph | a piece of equipment that analyzes by heating a product past its boiling point to make a gas |
| general contractor | person or company with overall responsibility for a construction project |
| genetic engineering | taking gene from one cell an splicing in into another |
| genome | an organism's complete set of DNA |
| geosynchronous | a satellite that moves around Earth at the same spped at which Earth rotates around its axis |
| geothermal energy | thermal energy that is stored below Earth's surface |
| hydroponics | growing plants in water, sand, or gravel rather than in soil |
| informed design | a process providing a way to make decisions without complete knowledge and reassess those decisions later on |
| innovation | an improvesment made to an invention |
| joule | the amount of energy required to move an object one meter using one Newton of force |
| (LAN) Local Area Network | small data network that allows computers throught an office to share data |
| manufacturing | process of making finished products |
| nanosecond | billionth of a second |
| nucleus | the center, or core, of an atom |
| ohm | unit by which resistance is measuredOhm's |
| Ohm's Law | an equation that describes the relationship between current, voltage and resistance |
| open-loop-system | a system that has no way of monitoring and adjusting itself |
| operating system | a program that allows a user to control the computer and its components |
| optimization | the process of making alternative work to get the best possible solution |
| pictorial drawing | a 3D drawing gives a clearer picture of the object |
| pie chart | a circle chart |
| point to point transmission | sending of a message from a single transmitter to a single receiver |
| probability | the likelihood that something will take place |
| project manager | a person who oversees the overall progress of a large construction job |
| prototype | full scale, fully operational version of a solution |
| quality | degree of excellence |
| RAM | random-access-memory |
| resource | one component in the production of goods |
| robotics | the area of artificial intelligence that designs and builds robots |
| ROM | Read Only Memory |
| semiconductors` | materials that are neither good insulators no good conductors |
| sensor | a monitor of a system's output |
| shearing | using a knife-like blade for separating |
| shearing stress | a force causing two conacting parts to slide upon each other in opposite directions |
| sheathing | a waterproof layer that protects something |
| short circuit | an unintended flow of current |
| solder | a metal that melts easily |
| soldering | joining two metals with heat |
| specifications | a solution that must be fulfilled |
| spectrometer | equipment that measures light energy absorbed or transmitted through a am |
| speech recognition | digitizing sound waves |
| strength | the ability of a material to keep its own shape when a force is applied to it |
| subcontractors | workers wo do the actual construction on a project |
| subsystems | smaller systems |
| superstructure | the part of a structure tha tis above ground |
| symmetry | exact correspondence of both sides oa a design |
| system | a group of interrelated components that achive a desired goal |
| Tsquare | a long straightedge with a crosspiece |
| technical drawing | highly accurate drawings |
| thrust | the forward force produced by engines |
| torsion | the twisting of a material |
| toughness | the ability of a material to absorb energy without breaking |
| trade-off | an exchange of the benefits and disadvanatages of one solution for those of another solution |
| uplink | transmission of a signal on one frequency from Earth to a satellite |
| values | principles we conserider worthwhile |
| variables | differenct factors that affect performance |
| virtual reality | using artifical intelligence to create an environment |
| volt | the unit by which electronic force is measured |
| voltage | a measure of the force with which electric current is pushed through wires |
