Final answer:
The transfer function 1/(s+1) represents a first-order system because the highest power of s in the denominator is 1. This type of system is seen in examples like RC circuits, which exhibit first-order behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The system modelled by the transfer function 1/(s+1) is a first-order system. This is determined by the power of s in the denominator, which is 1, indicating a first-order differential equation. In transfer function terms, the order of a system is represented by the highest power of s in the denominator of the transfer function.
In the realm of control systems and engineering, the term 'order' often relates to the complexity of the system dynamics, with first-order systems being simpler than higher-order systems. An example of a first-order system is a RC circuit, which consists of a resistor and a capacitor in series. The behavior of the system can be described by differential equations, which in this case, is of the first order, similar to our transfer function.