Y10 DT MOCKS

Why is oak used for flooring?

Hardwood. Highly durable, long-lasting and easy to clean due to its smooth surface

Why is mahogany used for high-end furniture?

Hardwood. Strong, high dimensional stability and easy to work with

Why is beech used for children’s toys but not outdoor items?

Hardwood. Tough, non-toxic and resists splintering but has poor dimensional stability

Why is ash used for sports equipment and tool handles?

Hardwood. High shock resistance and exceptional elasticity

Why is teak used for outdoor garden furniture and boat decks but not mass-produced furniture?

Hardwood. High natural oil content → Moisture resistance, but is highly expensive and blunts tools quickly

Why is pine used for flat-pack indoor furniture and construction framing but not high-impact flooring?

Softwood. High strength to weight ratio , cheap and is easy to work with but it dents and scratches easily

Why is cedar used for greenhouse frames and roof tiles but not structural beams?

Softwood. Natural resistance to rot, decay and insect attack and excellent dimensional stability but low tensile and compressive strength

Why is spruce used for indoor structural joists but not garden fencing?

Softwood. Very high strength to weight ratio but very poor decay resistance

Why is MDF used for flat-pack indoor furniture but not outdoor structures?

Easy to work with and takes finishes well but has no moisture resistance

Why is plywood used for high-strength furniture but not hand-carvings?

High dimensional stability and excellent uniform strength but it has alternating grain directions and rough edges

Why is chipboard used for kitchen worktop bases and flat-pack furniture cores but not outdoor items?

Highly cost effective, flat and good compressive strength but poor edge durability and no moisture resistance

Why is mild steel used for bicycle frames, nuts and bolts but not outdoor garden tools?

Ferrous metal. High tensile strength, malleable and ductile but can rust

Why is high carbon steel used for hand tools and hammer heads but not car body panels?

Ferrous metal. High tensile strength, very hard but isn’t malleable and brittle

Why is cast iron used for heavy-duty machine bases but not bicycle frames?

Ferrous metal. High compressive strength but has poor tensile strength

Why is aluminium used for kitchen foil and window frames but not high-temperature furnace linings?

Non-ferrous metal. High strength to weight ratio and has high corrosion resistance but has a low melting point

Why is copper used for lightning conductors but not woodworking screws?

Non-ferrous metal. Excellent electrical and thermal conductivity and ductile but is a soft metal

Why is brass used for musical instruments and door handles but not aircraft components?

Non-ferrous alloy. Doesn’t stick or spark and has excellent corrosion resistance but has high density

Why are thermoforming plastics used for plastic bottles and toys but not saucepan handles?

Highly recyclable and excellent plasticity when heated but they have low heat resistance

Why are thermosetting plastics used for saucepan handles and kitchen worktop laminates but not flexible packaging?

High heat resistance and high electrical insulation but they cannot be reheated and reshaped

Why are elastomers used for car tyres and rubber bands but not furniture frames?

High elasticity and high grip but lacks compressive strength

Why is paper used for photocopying paper but not product packaging?

Under 200 GSM. Lightweight, cheap and can take ink beautifully but lacks structural rigidity

Why is board used for shoe boxes and delivery boxes but not detailed printing?

250-350 GSM. Excellent strength to weight ratio but has an uneven surface

Why is card used for book covers and perfume boxes but not heavy-duty shipping?

Over 400 GSM. Excellent printability, bright white and perfectly smooth but isn’t shock-absorbing enough

What is hardness and which materials have it?

The ability of a material to resist scratching, denting or surface indentation: Oak, beech, high carbon steel

What is toughness and which materials have it?

The ability of a material to absorb impacts or shocks without fracturing: HIPS, mild steel, and ash

What is durability and which materials have it?

The ability of a material to withstand wear, pressure or damage over a long period: Stainless steel and cedar

What is malleability and which materials have it?

The ability of a material to be permanently hammered, pressed, or rolled into flat sheets: Copper and aluminium

What is ductility and which materials have it?

The ability of a material to be permanently stretched, or drawn out into wires: Copper and aluminium

What is conductivity and which materials have it?

The ability of a material to allow heat or electric currents to pass through it: Copper, aluminium and brass

What is elasticity and which materials have it?

The ability of a material to stretch or deform under a force and return to its original shape: Rubber and ash

What is stiffness and which materials have it?

The ability of a material to resist changing shape when a force is applied: Cast iron and plywood,

What is waterproofness and which materials have it?

The ability of a material to prevent water or moisture from penetrating: Aluminium and stainless steel

What is brittleness and which materials have it?

The tendency of a material to crack, shatter or snap under stress: Acrylic and cast iron

Why is Shape Memory Alloys used for braces but not building beams?

Smart Material. Returns to original shape when deformed but can warp on a hot day

Why is Thermochromic Pigment used for baby feeding spoons and thermometers but not road signs?

Smart Material. Changes colour in response to a change in temperature but the message would disappear in heat

Why is Photochromic Pigment used for UV-monitoring wristbands but not indoor warning labels?

Smart material. It changes colour in response to a change in light but the message wouldn’t show due to indoor lighting

Why is Phosphorescent Pigment used for watch hands but not car headlights?

Smart material. Absorbs light and re-emits as a glow in darkness but the light emitted is dim

Why is Electroluminescent Wires used for glow-in-the-dark costumes but not ceiling lights?

Smart Material. Glows brightly when a current is applied but isn’t bright enough

Why is smart grease used for dials but not car gears?

Smart material. Changes thickness based on movement speed but would lock up gears

Why is titanium used for jet pars but not school furniture?

Modern material. Extreme strength to weight ratio and high corrosion resistance but expensive

Why is carbon fibre used for racing cars and tennis rackets but not food trays?

Modern material. Extreme strength to weight ratio and strong under tension but requires slow, manual layering

Why are fibre optics used for high-speed internet cables but not structural cables?

Modern material. Ultra thin and transmits data as pulses of light but is brittle under bending stresses

Why are Liquid Crystal Displays used for digital watch faces and calculator screens but not tool handles?

Modern material. Incredibly thin and lightweight but the layers are fragile

Why is polymorph used for ergonomic tool handles but not coffee mugs?

Modern material. Melts into a mouldable plastic and becomes solid once cold but melts at a low temperature

Why is graphene used for flexible electronics but not bricks?

Modern material. Highly flexible, excellent electrical conductor and a great strength to weight ratio but expensive to produce

Why are Phase Change Materials used for handwarmers but not pots and pans?

Modern material. Absorbs or releases heat energy as it changes state but delays temperature changes

What is Laser Cutting and why is it used for manufacturing products?

A laser precisely cuts materials. It is accurate, fast, and reduces waste

What is die cutting and why is it used for manufacturing packaging?

A shaped blade cuts materials into specific shapes. It is quick and good for mass production

What is vacuum forming and why is it used for manufacturing packaging?

Heated plastic is shaped over a mould using suction. It is quick and cheap for thin plastics

What is turning and why is it used for manufacturing cylindrical products?

Material rotates on a lathe while being shaped. It creates accurate round shapes

What is extrusion and why is it used for manufacturing pipes?

Material is forced through a shaped die. It produces long continuous shapes efficiently

What is bending and why is it used for manufacturing metal products?

Material is shaped by force without cutting. It creates angled or curved forms

What is casting and why is it used for manufacturing metal products?

Molten material is poured into a mould. it is useful for complex shapes

What is injection moulding and why is it used for manufacturing plastic products?

Molten plastic is injected into a mould. it is fast, accurate, and good for mass production

What is blow moulding and why is it used for manufacturing bottles?

Heated plastic is inflated inside a mould. It creates hollow plastic products efficiently

What is rotational moulding and why is it used for manufacturing large hollow products?

A mould rotates while heated plastic coats the inside. It is used for large hollow shapes

What are adhesives and why are they used for manufacturing products?

Substances used to bond material together. They are quick and create clean joins

What are screws and why are they used for manufacturing products?

Threaded fasteners. They create strong joins and can be removed easily

What are nuts and bolts and why are they used for manufacturing products?

Removable threaded fasteners. They create strong and adjustable joins

What is welding and why is it used for manufacturing metal produts?

Heat melts materials together permanently. It creates very strong joints

What is CAD and why is it used for manufacturing products?

Computer Aided Design uses software to create designs. It improves accuracy and allows easy editing

What is CAM and why is it used for manufacturing products?

Computer Aided Manufacturing uses computers to control machines. It increases speed and accuracy

What are CNC machines and why are they used for manufacturing products?

Computer Controlled machines manufacture products automatically. They improve precision and consistency

What is 3D printing and why is it used for manufacturing prototypes?

Material is layered to build objects from digital designs. It is useful for rapid prototyping and custom prodcuts

What is bespoke production and why is it used for manufacturing custom products?

Products are made individually and unique. It allows high customisation

What is batch production and why is it used for manufacturing products?

Groups of identical products are made together. It balances efficiency and flexibility

What is mass production and why is it used for manufacturing products?

Large quantities of products are made continuously. Its fast and lowers costs

What is Ergonomics and why would a designer use it?

Designing products for comfort and ease of use. Used to improve user experience and reduce strain

What is Anthropometrics and why would a designer use it?

Use of human body measurements in design. Used to make products fit users properly

What is Aesthetics and why would a designer use them?

The visual appearance of a product. Used to make products attractive to users

What is Cost and why would a designer consider it?

The amount needed to make or buy a product. Used to keep products affordable and profitable

What is the Customer in design and why would a designer consider them?

The person who will buy or use the product. Considered to meet customer needs and preferences

What is the Environment in design and why would a designer consider it?

How a product affects the environment. Considered to reduce waste and improve sustainability

What is Size in design and why would a designer consider it?

The dimensions of a product. Considered to ensure comfort, usability, and practicality

What is Safety in design and why would a designer consider it?

Reduces risks and hazards when using a product. Considered to protect users

What is Function in design and why would a designer consider it?

The purpose and performance of a product. Considered to ensure the product works effectively.

What are materials in design and why would a designer consider them?

What a product is made from. Considered to improve strength, appearance, cost, and manufacture.

What are the 6 stages of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?

Raw material extraction, Material processing, Manufacture, Distribution/transportation, Use Disposal/end of life

What is rethink and why is it sustainable and important?

Considering whether a product is needed or could be designed better. Reduces waste and resource use

What is refuse and why is it sustainable and important?

Avoiding unnecessary or harmful products. Reduces waste and pollution

What is reduce and why is it sustainable and important?

Using fewer materials and less energy. Conserves resources and lowers pollution

What is reuse and why is it sustainable and important?

Using products again instead of throwing them away. Reduces landfill waste

What is repair and why is it sustainable and important?

Fixing products instead of replacing them. Extends product lifespan

What is recycle and why is it sustainable and important?

Processing old materials into new products. Reduces waste and saves raw materials

What is the product life cycle and why is it important?

The stages a product goes through from raw material to disposal. Designers can reduce environmental impact at each stage

What is built-in obsolescence and why is it unsustainable and important?

Designing products to fail after a certain time. Increases waste

What is style obsolescence and why is it unsustainable and important?

When products go out of fashion. Products are replaced unnecessarily

What is product analysis and why would a designer use it?

Examines the strengths and weaknesses of a product. Improves future designs

What is functionality and why would a designer consider it?

How well a product performs its purpose. Ensures the product works effectively

What is evaluation and why would a designer use it?

Judges how successful a product is. Used to identify improvements

What is a specification and why would a designer use it?

List of requirements a product must meet. Used to guide and evaluate designs

What is user feedback and why would a designer use it?

Information from people using the product. Used to improve products.

What is a risk assessment and why would a designer use it?

Identifies hazards and ways to reduce risk. Used to protect users

What is quality control and why would a designer use it?

Checks products meet standards. Used to ensure consistency and reliability

What are sustainability improvements and why would a designer make them?

Reduce environmental impact. Conserve resources and reduce waste

What are material improvements and why would a designer make them?

Involve choosing better materials. Improves strength, cost, or sustainability

What are manufacturing improvements and why would a designer make them?

Improve production methods. Increases efficiency, quality, or speed