DT GCSE Key Words

Question 1

Mechanism

Answer 1

Series of parts that work together to control forces and motion

Question 2

System

Answer 2

General name for a set of mechanical or electronic parts that work together to produce a desired output

Question 3

Force

Answer 3

A push a pull or a twist

Question 4

Arm length

Answer 4

Distance between force exerted and fulcrum

Question 5

Effort

Answer 5

Input force

Question 6

Fulcrum

Answer 6

Pivot around which a lever turns

Question 7

Lever

Answer 7

Rigid bar that turns around a fulcrum

Question 8

Load

Answer 8

Output force

Question 9

Plastic memory

Answer 9

Ability of a thermo polymer to return to their original state after reheating

Question 10

gsm

Answer 10

Grams per square metre

Question 11

Micron

Answer 11

Small unit that measures length

One thousandth of a millimetre

Question 12

Usability

Answer 12

How easy a product is to use, how clear and obvious the functions are

Question 13

Ergonomics

Answer 13

The study of how we use and interact with a product or system

Question 14

Anthropometrics

Answer 14

Study of the sizes of the human body

Question 15

Phycological factors

Answer 15

Such things as mental reactions time, various acquired meaning associated with certain colours

Question 16

Aesthetically pleasing

Answer 16

Beautiful to the senses

Question 17

Aesthetic

Answer 17

Factors that concern the appreciation of beauty

Question 18

Planned obsolescence

Answer 18

Business practise of deliberately out dating an item before ethe end of its life

Question 19

Non-renewable energy

Answer 19

Sources that come out of the ground and can’t be replenished, finite

Question 20

Lubrication

Answer 20

Substance applied to reduce friction between moving parts

Oil, grease, PTFE, graphite

Question 21

Subsystem

Answer 21

Section with a specific role within a system

Question 22

System diagram

Answer 22

Diagram of inter communications and flow of signals in an electronic system

Question 23

Embedding

Answer 23

Customising a microcontroller to be permanently placed within a product

Question 24

Microcontroller

Answer 24

Programmable electronic component adds functionality to a product

Question 25

Physical quantity

Answer 25

Something that can be measured, light, temperature, speed

Question 26

Program

Answer 26

Set of instructions to tell a microcontroller how to carry out a task

Question 27

Sensor

Answer 27

Component that produces signal in response to a specific physical quantity

Question 28

Signal

Answer 28

An electric voltage that is used to represent information

Question 29

Latching

Answer 29

Switch that stays on/off after button is released

Question 30

Momentary

Answer 30

Switch that only stays on when held

Question 31

Cloud computing

Answer 31

Network of online servers that store and manage data

Question 32

Internet of things

Answer 32

Electronic devices connect to send and receive data without human intervention

Question 33

Nanotechnology

Answer 33

Technology on a microscopic scale

Question 34

Economies of scale

Answer 34

Cost advantages that manufacturers obtain due to size, output or scale of product

Question 35

Context

Answer 35

Situation a design solution is intended for

Question 36

Stakeholder

Answer 36

Person, group or organisation with an interest in a product

Question 37

Primary user

Answer 37

Person or group who will use a product

Question 38

Ergonomics/Human factors

Answer 38

Scientific discipline concerned with interaction between humans and elements of a product

Question 39

Culture

Answer 39

The way people people behave and relate to one another based on their ideas and activities

Question 40

Globalisation

Answer 40

Businesses operating globally and developing international influence

Question 41

Sustainable economic growth

Answer 41

Development that aims to satisfy economic needs of the present generation whilst sustaining natural resources for future generations

Question 42

Usability

Answer 42

How easy a product is to use

Question 43

Anthropometrics

Answer 43

Study of sizes of the human body

Question 44

Aesthetically pleasing

Answer 44

Beautiful to the senses

Question 45

Aesthetics

Answer 45

Factors concerned with the appreciation of beauty

Question 46

Proportion

Answer 46

Relative scale and size

Question 47

Symmetry

Answer 47

When elements are arranged the same way across an axis or around a point

Question 48

Asymmetry

Answer 48

The absence of symmetry

Question 49

Ethical

Answer 49

Honourable or correct

Question 50

Twenty first century design

Answer 50

Current and forward way of thinking that evolves products for a preferable future

Question 51

Market pull

Answer 51

A need for a product

Question 52

Marketing

Answer 52

The business of promoting and selling a product

Question 53

Technology push

Answer 53

Product development driven by research and development

Question 54

Circular economy

Answer 54

Use resources for as long as possible then reuse and regenerate

Question 55

Throwaway society

Answer 55

Society influenced by consumerism and excess

Question 56

Emerging technologies

Answer 56

New technologies that are currently or in the next decade being developed

Question 57

Planned obsolescence

Answer 57

Practise of deliberately outdating an item before the end of its useful life

Question 58

Non renewable energy

Answer 58

Sources that are finite and can’t be quickly replenished

Question 59

Renewable energy

Answer 59

Sources that are aren’t finite and can be naturally replenished

Question 60

Focus group

Answer 60

Organised discussion about people’s views and experiences with a brand or concept

Question 61

User design centre

Answer 61

Design strategy to make products useable focusing on user interaction

Question 62

Systems thinking

Answer 62

Understanding of a product as part of larger system, ensures consideration of all aspects of a system with equal attention

Question 63

Collaboration

Answer 63

Working with others for mutual benefits