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| Applied Physics | The branch of science that applies the principles of science to solve engineering problems. |
| Closed Loop System | A system that uses feedback from the output to control the input. |
| Conservation of Energy | The total energy of an isolated system remains constant no matter what internal changes take place, with energy disappearing in one form reappearing in another. |
| Diameter | A straight line passing from side to side through the center of a circle or sphere. |
| Energy | The ability to do work. |
| Evaluation | The collection and processing of information and data in order to determine how well a design meets the requirements and to provide direction for improvements. |
| Fabrication | The assembly of parts into a structure. |
| Force | The influence on an object which causes it to accelerate. |
| Friction | The resistance that one surface or object encounters when moving over another. |
| Fulcrum | The point around which a lever turns or is supported. |
| Gravity | A force of attraction between all matter. |
| Inclined Plane | A flat surface set at an angle used to help raise or lower objects. |
| Input | Something put into a system, such as resources, in order to achieve a result. |
| Joule | The unit of energy or work in the MKS system of units, equal to the work done by a force of one Newton-meter. |
| Kinetic Energy | The energy which a body possesses because of its motion. |
| Lever | A rigid bar resting on a pivot point or fulcrum, used to move a load with one end when pressure is applied to the other. |
| Mechanical Advantage | The ratio of the force that performs the useful work of a machine to the force that is applied to the machine. MA = Fo / Fi |
| Mechanism | An assembly of moving parts completing a complete functional motion. |
| Model | A visual, mathematical, or three-dimensional representation in detail of an object or design, often smaller than the original. A model is often used to test ideas, make changes to a design, and to learn more about what would happen to a similar, real object. |
| Motion | A continuous change of position of a body. |
| Newton's Laws of Motion | Laws proposed by Isaac Newton that explain how force and motion work. |
| Open Loop System | A control system that has no means for comparing the output with input for control purposes. |
| Output | The results of the operation of any system. |
| Potential Energy | The energy of a particle, body, or system that is determined by its position or structure. |
| Prototype | A full-scale working model used to test a design concept by making actual observations and necessary adjustments. |
| Pulley | A solid disc that rotates around a center axis. It usually has a groove around the outside edge that allows ropes or belts to easily ride around it. |
| Radius | A straight line from the center to the circumference of a circle or sphere. |
| Screw | A cylinder with a spiral ridge or thread running round the outside that can be turned to seal an opening, apply pressure, adjust position, etc. |
| Simple Machine | Any of several elementary mechanisms that are used to transmit or modify force or motion. Simple machines include the lever, wheel and axle, pulley, screw, wedge, and inclined plane. |
| Speed | The magnitude of the total distance traveled divided by the time elapsed. |
| Subsystem | A major part of a system which itself has the characteristics of a system, usually consisting of several components. |
| System | A group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements or parts that function together as a whole to accomplish a goal. |
| Test | A procedure in which the performance of a product is measured under various conditions. |
| Torque | A twisting force. |
| Velocity | A vector quantity that includes the speed and direction of an object. |
| Wedge | A piece of a substance (as wood or iron) that tapers to a thin edge and is used for splitting wood and rocks, raising heavy bodies, or for tightening by being driven into something. |
| Wheel and Axle | A mechanical device consisting of a grooved wheel turned by a cord or chain with a rigidly attached axle (as for winding up a weight) together with the supporting standards. |
| Work | A result of a force moving an object a certain distance. |
