A schematic diagram is a simplified representation of a system. Such schematics are often not to scale and use symbols rather than realistic images. Their purpose is to explain how a system is organized and how it works.
There are many examples of schematic diagrams encountered daily. The most common schematic diagram is found in large cities as the subway map. Across the world, car and motorbike owners use instruction manuals heavily dependent on such diagrams in order to repair their vehicles. Schematics are also used to illustrate chemical processes, wiring, plumbing and electronic circuits.
Schematic diagrams work because they provide an uncluttered illustration of how a system works. The use of spaces highlights a system’s organization rather than wasting space with unnecessary information. They are usually unrealistic because component relationships are easier to understand. A good schematic diagram will space out elements contained within, thus keeping functions and connections distinct from one another. It also uses exact values and quantities, all of which, if vital, are labeled on the diagram; due to the use of symbols within the diagram, they are often accompanied by a key。
