Eduqas GCSE Design and Technology key terms

A loud, high-power sound output device used to give a warning in alarm and security systems.

A material that changes a property in response to a stimulus, such as heat, pressure, light or electricity.

A fibre or fabric that responds to a stimulus, such as temperature, UV radiation or rubbing.

The effects of producing, using and disposing of a material or product on people, including workers’ pay, safety and the wellbeing of communities.

The effect of a product or process on people, including workers, users and local communities.

Timber from coniferous trees, such as pine and spruce; the classification does not necessarily mean the wood is soft.

Joining metals using a molten filler with a lower melting point than the metals being joined, without melting those base metals.

An electromagnetic output device that produces linear movement.

Wood cut from a tree and used as a solid piece, rather than broken down and reconstructed into a board.

A requirement that a design should meet, informed by research and the needs of users and clients.

Applying a coating of gum or resin dissolved in a volatile solvent, which hardens as the solvent evaporates.

A person or group with an interest in a product or its development, such as its users or client.

A ready-made part supplied in established sizes, values or ratings, which can be bought and incorporated into a product.

A short fibre that can be spun with other fibres to form a continuous yarn.

Using steam to make solid timber flexible enough to bend around a former, then holding it until it dries and retains its shape.

A sheet containing cut-out openings through which a design can be applied to a surface.

Resistance to deformation, such as bending or stretching, under a load.

The distance the fabric advances between successive stitches, usually measured in millimetres.

A standard form or size in which a material or component is supplied, such as fabric on a roll of a specified width.

A standard length of material available to purchase from a supplier.

The ability to withstand stress without failing.

How strong a material is relative to its weight; a high ratio is useful when a structure must be strong but lightweight.

The internal force per unit cross-sectional area within a loaded material.

The ability of a product to remain intact and maintain its load-bearing structure during use.

A trade name for extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam insulation, not the technical name for expanded polystyrene (EPS).

A named section of a program that performs a task when called, then returns control to the calling program.

A functional part of a larger system, such as a light-sensing unit within an alarm.