← Design and Technology syllabus

EnglandDesign and Technology

3.1 Core technical principles

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

Where does the energy that powers products and manufacturing come from, and how is it stored?

Sources of energy including fossil fuels, nuclear power and renewable energy, the generation and storage of energy, and how energy is used to power products and processes.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Design and Technology core principle on energy, covering fossil fuels, nuclear power, renewable sources, energy storage including batteries, and how energy powers products and manufacturing.
9 min answer →

What are the main categories of material, and what physical and working properties make each suitable for a job?

The categories of materials including papers and boards, timbers, metals, polymers and textiles, and the physical and mechanical properties that make a material suitable for a particular use.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Design and Technology core principle on materials, covering the categories of papers and boards, timbers, metals, polymers and textiles, and the physical and mechanical properties that decide their use.
9 min answer →

How do mechanical devices change the size, direction or type of a movement?

Mechanical devices used to produce different sorts of movement, including the four types of motion, levers and linkages, rotary systems such as gears, pulleys and belts, and cams and followers.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Design and Technology core principle on mechanical devices, covering the four types of motion, levers and linkages, gears, pulleys and belts, cams and followers, and how movement is changed.
9 min answer →

What are modern and smart materials, and how do their special properties create new design possibilities?

Modern materials, smart materials, composite materials and technical textiles, including their properties and how their ability to respond to changes can be used in products.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Design and Technology core principle on modern and smart materials, covering modern materials, smart materials, composites and technical textiles, their properties and uses in products.
9 min answer →

How do new and emerging technologies change industry, society and the wider world?

New and emerging technologies and their impact on industry and enterprise, sustainability, people, culture, society, the environment and production techniques and systems.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Design and Technology core principle on new and emerging technologies, covering their impact on industry, enterprise, sustainability, people, society, the environment and production systems.
9 min answer →

How can we describe any electronic or controlled product as a system of inputs, processes and outputs?

Systems thinking using input, process and output, including sensors and other input devices, the processing of signals and control, and output devices such as motors, lamps and buzzers.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Design and Technology core principle on the systems approach, covering input sensors, processing and control, output devices, and how to read and draw system block diagrams.
9 min answer →