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WalesDesign and TechnologyQuick questions
Unit 1 Technical Principles
Quick questions on Sources, origins and stock forms of materials - WJEC A-Level Design and Technology
6short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is timber?Show answer
Timber is felled, then converted by sawing the log into boards (through-and-through or quarter sawn, which resists warping but wastes more), and seasoned by air drying (cheap, slow) or kiln drying (fast, precise moisture control). Unseasoned timber shrinks and warps in service, so seasoning is essential.
What are metals?Show answer
Most metals occur as ores (metal compounds in rock) and must be extracted. Iron is reduced from iron ore in a blast furnace to make iron, then refined into steel by removing carbon. Aluminium is extracted from bauxite by electrolysis, which is very energy-intensive (a key reason recycling aluminium saves so much energy). The refined metal is cast into ingots and then rolled, drawn or extruded into stock forms.
What are polymers?Show answer
Some polymers are now made from renewable sources (bioplastics such as PLA from corn starch), which WJEC links to sustainability.
What are standard stock forms?Show answer
Materials are supplied in standard, repeatable forms so they are predictable and economical:
What is q1?Show answer
State two named methods of seasoning timber and give one advantage of each. [4 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Name three standard stock forms in which mild steel is supplied. [3 marks]
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