Year 10 - Design and technology
Polymer properties and processes
Product analysis: encouraging healthy lifestyles
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
Pupils will analyse products to identify features in the products. They will also identify the materials, material properties and manufacturing processes used to create the products. They will conduct functional tests to collect and analyse data to inform design decisions.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to identify and justify the material and process used for a polymer product.
Key Notes
- There are four main stages in the sourcing of polymers: extraction, refinement, cracking and polymerisation.
- There is an environmental impact to extracting and processing polymers.
- Polypropylene is suitable for kitchen products. It is tough, flexible, food safe and has good corrosion resistance.
- Injection moulding is suitable for complex shapes, high volume production and can be automated.
Vocabulary To Learn
- synthetic: manufactured, not naturally occuring
- biodegradable: decays naturally
- fractional distillation: separating component parts of a mixture
- polymerisation: chemically combining small molecules called monomers to form long chain structures called polymers
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- All polymers are non biodegradable and can last for hundreds of year.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
There are four main stages in the sourcing of polymers: extraction, refinement, cracking and polymerisation. There is an environmental impact to extracting and processing polymers.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'synthetic'
manufactured, not naturally occuring.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: All polymers are non biodegradable and can last for hundreds of year. Correction: Polymers come in many forms including biodegradable and bio-based polymers that will break down more easily in the environment.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Advanced 3D sketching Study Guide
- Anthropometrics and ergonomics Study Guide
- Basic 3D sketching Study Guide
- Form versus function fruit juicers Study Guide
- Mastering 3D sketching Study Guide
- Metal properties and processes Study Guide
- Testing citrus fruit juicers Study Guide
- The work of other designers Study Guide
- Timber properties and processes Study Guide
- Why and how designers analyse products Study Guide
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