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An analog computer is a mechanical, electrical, or electronic computer that performs
arithmetical operations by using some continuous physical quantity, to represent
numbers. They simulate continuous inputs as movements on a dial, scope, chart or
graph.
The mechanical analog computer uses mechanical movement to represent
continuous inputs that perform mechanical operations (motion, pressure, and
force). (Examples: clock, speedometer, flow meter, pressure gage, liquid level, weight
scale.
The electric analog computer uses mechanical movement to represent continuous
inputs that perform electrical operations with sensors (voltage, current, motion,
light, magnetic flux). (Examples: voltmeter, current meter, flux meter, sound meter
light meter, seismograph).
The electronic analog computer uses mechanical movement to represent
continuous inputs that perform electronic operations with Op Amps (add, subtract,
multiply, divide, integrate, differentiate or invert). (Examples: radiation detector,
spectrometer)
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