Year 10 - Design and technology
Virtual and physical testing of systems
Systems approach to design: Sustainable Futures
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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 develop knowledge of electronic components and a systems approach to designing. They will learn about different components and use these to build and test circuits for different purposes. They will design a system to control a greenhouse environment, considering the different variables.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to virtually and physically test a control system.
Key Notes
- Testing electronic circuits and control systems is often referred to as fault finding.
- A multimeter is used to measure current, voltage, resistance in both virtual and physical circuits and control systems.
- Resistance and voltage are measured in parallel but current is measured in series.
- Virtual and physical test results will differ due to the tolerance of physical components and test equipment.
Vocabulary To Learn
- multimeter: an electronic tool that measures voltage, current and resistance
- voltage (V): the measure of the 'push' from a battery that causes charge to be transferred around a circuit
- current (A): the rate of flow of charge in a circuit
- test: check quality, function and reliability
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Testing must always be done using a physical control system.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Testing electronic circuits and control systems is often referred to as fault finding. A multimeter is used to measure current, voltage, resistance in both virtual and physical circuits and control systems.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'multimeter'
an electronic tool that measures voltage, current and resistance.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Testing must always be done using a physical control system. Correction: Testing a control system can be done using a physical control system and a multimeter or using a CAD simulation.
More Lessons In This Unit
- 3D model using Extrude and the Timeline in Fusion Study Guide
- Assemble, test and refine systems Study Guide
- Assembly modelling in Fusion Study Guide
- Buzzers Study Guide
- Create, modify and constrain 2D sketches in Fusion Study Guide
- Data logging Study Guide
- Design for additive manufacturing with Fusion Study Guide
- Electronic calculations Study Guide
- Fusion fundamentals Study Guide
- Input components Study Guide
- LEDs Study Guide
- Motors Study Guide
- Physical materials and appearances in Fusion Study Guide
- Systems approach to design Study Guide
- Technical drawings in Fusion Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 10 Design and technology guide library.