Recall — GCSE Flashcards
🔧 GCSE Design & Technology Flashcards
Materials, processes and design principles — 10 free revision cards. Study them below, or add the whole deck to Recall and let FSRS spaced repetition schedule your revision so it actually sticks.
Name the 6 Rs of sustainable design.
1. Rethink — is the product needed?
2. Refuse — avoid unnecessary materials
3. Reduce — use less material/energy
4. Reuse — use again as-is
5. Repair — fix instead of replace
6. Recycle — process into new materials
2. Refuse — avoid unnecessary materials
3. Reduce — use less material/energy
4. Reuse — use again as-is
5. Repair — fix instead of replace
6. Recycle — process into new materials
What is the difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metals?
Ferrous: contain iron → magnetic, can rust.
Examples: mild steel, cast iron, stainless steel.
Non-ferrous: no iron → don't rust, often softer/more expensive.
Examples: aluminium, copper, brass, gold.
Examples: mild steel, cast iron, stainless steel.
Non-ferrous: no iron → don't rust, often softer/more expensive.
Examples: aluminium, copper, brass, gold.
Compare thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics.
Thermoplastics: soften when heated, can be remoulded. Recyclable. Examples: HDPE, PET, PVC, acrylic.
Thermosetting: set permanently once cured — cannot be remoulded. Examples: epoxy resin, melamine, urea-formaldehyde.
Thermosetting: set permanently once cured — cannot be remoulded. Examples: epoxy resin, melamine, urea-formaldehyde.
What is the difference between hardwood and softwood?
Hardwood: from deciduous (broad-leaf) trees, slow-growing, denser, generally harder.
Examples: oak, mahogany, beech, ash.
Softwood: from coniferous (evergreen) trees, fast-growing, cheaper.
Examples: pine, cedar, spruce.
Examples: oak, mahogany, beech, ash.
Softwood: from coniferous (evergreen) trees, fast-growing, cheaper.
Examples: pine, cedar, spruce.
What does CAD/CAM stand for and what are they?
CAD (Computer-Aided Design): software for creating 2D/3D designs (e.g. SolidWorks, Fusion 360, TinkerCAD).
CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacture): software that takes CAD files and drives machines (e.g. CNC routers, 3D printers, laser cutters).
CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacture): software that takes CAD files and drives machines (e.g. CNC routers, 3D printers, laser cutters).
What are anthropometrics and ergonomics?
Anthropometrics: measurements of the human body (e.g. average hand size, reach, height).
Ergonomics: designing products to fit the user comfortably and efficiently — applies anthropometric data plus physiology/psychology.
Ergonomics: designing products to fit the user comfortably and efficiently — applies anthropometric data plus physiology/psychology.
Name four types of motion in mechanisms.
1. Linear — straight line, one direction
2. Reciprocating — back and forth in a line
3. Rotary — circular motion
4. Oscillating — back and forth in an arc (e.g. pendulum)
2. Reciprocating — back and forth in a line
3. Rotary — circular motion
4. Oscillating — back and forth in an arc (e.g. pendulum)
What is iterative design?
A cyclical design process: design → prototype → test → evaluate → improve → repeat.
Each iteration refines the product. Common in industry — used by Apple, Dyson. Contrasts with linear "design once, build" models.
Each iteration refines the product. Common in industry — used by Apple, Dyson. Contrasts with linear "design once, build" models.
What are smart materials? Give 3 examples.
Materials whose properties change in response to a stimulus (temperature, light, electricity).
- Thermochromic — colour changes with temperature
- Shape memory alloy (SMA) — returns to original shape when heated
- Photochromic — colour changes with light (e.g. reactive lenses)
- Thermochromic — colour changes with temperature
- Shape memory alloy (SMA) — returns to original shape when heated
- Photochromic — colour changes with light (e.g. reactive lenses)
What is a specification in design?
A detailed list of measurable requirements the final product must meet.
Criteria include: function, size, materials, cost, target user, aesthetics, safety, environmental impact.
Different from a design brief (short summary of the problem).
Criteria include: function, size, materials, cost, target user, aesthetics, safety, environmental impact.
Different from a design brief (short summary of the problem).
These 10 cards are a free starter deck — a companion for memorising the core facts, not a complete course. In the Recall app you can also paste your own class notes and have AI build decks for the topics your exam board covers.