Year 3 - Design and technology
Pneumatic systems
Pneumatics: moving toys
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit introduces pupils to creating movement with air using pneumatic mechanisms. They will then apply this knowledge to develop a moving toy.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use air to create movement in prototypes.
Key Notes
- Balloons and plastic bottles can be linked to make a pneumatic system.
- Syringes and plastic tubing can be linked to make a pneumatic system.
- Different pneumatic systems can create different movements.
- Different pneumatic systems can create moving animals.
Vocabulary To Learn
- pneumatic system: a mechanism that uses moving air to make things happen
- input: something put into a system
- output: something that comes out of a system
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pneumatic systems always cause something to expland or inflate.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Balloons and plastic bottles can be linked to make a pneumatic system. Syringes and plastic tubing can be linked to make a pneumatic system.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'pneumatic system'
a mechanism that uses moving air to make things happen.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Pneumatic systems always cause something to expland or inflate. Correction: Pneumatic systems can cause directed movement of an object without inflation.
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