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Year 11 - Design and technology

Modern materials

Core principles

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will develop core principles knowledge with an explicit focus on exam technique.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe the properties and uses of modern materials and give specific examples.

Key Notes

  • Modern materials are new, often with properties which eliminate problems with alternative materials.
  • Composites are a mixture of materials, combined to improve the properties.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • modern material: are continually being developed through the invention of new or improved processes
  • working property: the way in which a material responds to an external force or certain environment; also referred to as mechanical properties
  • physical property: the characteristics of a material, such as appearance and features
  • composites: combine the properties of two or more materials without being mixed at a chemical level

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Modern materials only provide advantages to designers and users.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

Modern materials are new, often with properties which eliminate problems with alternative materials. Composites are a mixture of materials, combined to improve the properties.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'modern material'

are continually being developed through the invention of new or improved processes.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: Modern materials only provide advantages to designers and users. Correction: Modern materials are often difficult and expensive to produce and are also difficult to recycle.

More Lessons In This Unit

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