To do this, the equivalences must be compatible. A pair of variables whose product is power (or energy) in one domain must be equivalent to a pair of variables in the other domain whose product is also power (or energy). These are called power conjugate variables. The thermal variables shown in the chart are not power conjugates and thus do not meet this criterion. See mechanical–electrical analogies for more detailed information on this. Even specifying power conjugate variables does not result in a unique analogy and there are at least three analogies of this sort in use. At least one more criterion is needed to uniquely specify the analogy, such as the requirement that impedance is equivalent in all domains as is done in the impedance analogy. Examples Mechanical systems Force Electrical systems Voltage All the fundamental variables of these systems have the same functional form. Discussion The system equivalence method may be used to describe systems of two types: "vibrational" systems (which are thus described - approximately - by harmonic oscillation) and "translational" systems (which deal with "flows"). These are not mutually exclusive; a system may have features of both. Similarities also exist; the two systems can often be analysed by the methods of Euler, Lagrange and Hamilton, so that in both cases the energy is quadratic in the relevant degree(s) of freedom, provided they are linear. Vibrational systems are often described by some sort of wave (partial differential) equation, or oscillator (ordinary differential) equation. Furthermore, these sorts of systems follow the capacitor or spring analogy, in the sense that the dominant degree of freedom in the energy is the generalized position. In more physical language, these systems are predominantly characterised by their potential energy. This often works for solids, or (linearized) undulatory systems near equilibrium. On the other hand, flow systems may be easier described by the hydraulic analogy or the diffusion equation. For example, Ohm's law was said to be inspired by Fourier's law (as well as the work of C.-L. Navier). Other laws include Fick's laws of diffusion and generalized transport problems. The most important idea is the flux, or rate of transfer of some important physical quantity considered (like electric or magnetic fluxes). In these sorts of systems, the energy is dominated by the derivative of the generalized position (generalized velocity). In physics parlance, these systems tend to be kinetic energy-dominated. Field theories, in particular