What term describes the physical movement resulting from electrical or mechanical signals?

The term that best describes the physical movement resulting from electrical or mechanical signals is actuation. Actuation refers to the process of converting a control signal (which may be electrical, mechanical, or thermal) into physical motion. This is commonly seen in various applications, such as motors, solenoids, and robotic systems, where the input signals trigger a specific movement or action.

In engineering, the concept of actuation is crucial because it encompasses the principles and mechanisms by which devices interact with their environment. By understanding actuation, engineers can design systems that effectively respond to control inputs, ensuring desired outcomes in terms of motion and function.

While translation, momentum, and motion are related concepts, they do not specifically capture the idea of the response generated from an input signal in the same targeted way that actuation does. Hence, actuation is the most accurate term in this context.