← Design and Technology syllabus

EnglandDesign and Technology

3. Technical systems and mechanisms

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How is electricity generated from fossil, nuclear and renewable sources, and how is energy stored in products?

Energy generation and storage: fossil fuels and nuclear power, renewable sources (wind, solar, tidal, hydroelectric and biomass), their advantages and disadvantages, and energy storage in products including primary and rechargeable (secondary) cells.
A focused answer to Eduqas GCSE Design and Technology (C600) on energy generation and storage: fossil fuels, nuclear and renewable sources (wind, solar, tidal, hydroelectric, biomass), their pros and cons, and primary and rechargeable cells.
10 min answer →

What are the types of force and motion, and how do levers and linkages give mechanical advantage and change motion?

Forces, stresses and motion: tension, compression, bending, torsion and shear, the four types of motion (linear, rotary, reciprocating, oscillating), levers and the three lever classes, mechanical advantage, and linkages that change the direction or type of motion.
A focused answer to Eduqas GCSE Design and Technology (C600) on forces, stresses and motion: tension, compression, bending, torsion and shear, the four types of motion, levers, lever classes and mechanical advantage, and linkages.
10 min answer →

How do gears, pulleys and cams change speed, force, direction and type of motion?

Rotary motion systems: gears and gear trains, gear ratios and how they change speed and torque, pulley and belt systems with velocity ratios, and cams and followers that convert rotary motion into reciprocating or oscillating motion.
A focused answer to Eduqas GCSE Design and Technology (C600) on gears, gear ratios, pulleys and cams: how each changes speed, force, direction and type of motion, with worked gear-ratio and velocity-ratio calculations.
11 min answer →

What input, process and output components are used in electronic systems, and what does each do?

Input, process and output components: switches and sensors (light-dependent resistors and thermistors) as inputs, transistors, integrated circuits and microcontrollers as process devices, and LEDs, buzzers and motors as outputs, with their functions and uses.
A focused answer to Eduqas GCSE Design and Technology (C600) on input, process and output components: switches, LDRs and thermistors, transistors, ICs and microcontrollers, and LEDs, buzzers and motors, with their functions.
9 min answer →

What is the systems approach to designing electronic products, and how do block diagrams and feedback work?

The systems approach to designing: the input, process and output model, representing systems with block diagrams, breaking products into sub-systems, the role of programmable components and microcontrollers, and feedback in control systems.
A focused answer to Eduqas GCSE Design and Technology (C600) on the systems approach to designing: the input, process and output model, block diagrams, sub-systems, microcontrollers and feedback in control systems.
9 min answer →