materials that fl ow into the system and are consumed or processed by the system.
The amount of money left over after all the
expenses of a business have been paid.
the results, good and bad, of the operation of any system
A type of knowledge that describes the
relationships between and among groups of
people.
the earliest period in history. First, simple stone tools were used to cut and pound
vegetables and cut meat from animal carcasses; later, pointed stone hunting tools were developed.
Humans also learned how to harness fi re for heating, cooking, and protection.
the reasons or purposes for a system
Having the understanding and ability to direct
new technology.
the historical period from 1750 to 1850, when tremendous changes in
technology occurred. Many machines and devices were invented, including the steam engine and the
telegraph.
a function that involves dividing tasks into major segments and structuring a work force
so goals can be met and resources can be assigned to complete each task.
Societies in which humans make tools, grow
crops, engineer materials, and develop
transportation systems
Knowledge of the natural world.
The work scientists do by gathering information
to try to explain why something exists or
happens in a certain way
A process that is constantly changing or causing
change.
natural, synthetic, or composite substances from which artifacts are made
the historical period beginning around 400 A.D. It is known for its various upheavals,
as tribes continually fought each other for territory, but technology still progressed. One of the major
inventions of this time was printing from movable type, developed by Johann Gutenberg in 1445.