Question 1: Explain the difference between a metal and a plastic in terms of their typical properties and suitability for making a lightweight, durable product.

Answer: Metals are generally strong, hard, and good conductors of heat and electricity, making them suitable for structural parts that need strength. Plastics are usually lightweight, flexible, and resistant to corrosion, making them ideal for products needing lightness and durability without high strength.

Question 2: Describe two properties that make rubber a good material for making grips on handles.

Answer: Rubber is flexible, providing good grip and comfort. It is also non-slip and resistant to water and chemicals, enhancing safety and durability.

Question 3: Identify a material that is suitable for making a cutting tool and explain why based on its properties.

Answer: High-speed steel or tungsten carbide are suitable because they are very hard and resistant to wear, allowing them to cut through materials effectively and maintain sharpness.

Question 4: Design Brief: You need to create a lightweight chair that is strong enough to support an adult and resistant to weather conditions. Which material would you choose and why?

Answer: A suitable material could be aluminium because it is lightweight, strong, and resistant to corrosion, making it ideal for outdoor furniture.

Question 5: Sketch a simple design for a plastic container that needs to be both strong and lightweight. Label the key features of your design.

Answer: A correct sketch would show a container with reinforced walls or ribs for strength, smooth edges for safety, and a lightweight, hollow body. Labels should indicate 'reinforcements,' 'hollow structure,' and 'smooth finish.'

Question 6: Draw a cross-section of a wooden product that needs to be resistant to moisture. Indicate the type of wood or treatment you would recommend and why.

Answer: A cross-section should show a piece of treated or sealed wood, with a label indicating 'pressure-treated' or 'sealed with water-resistant coating.' The wood should be depicted as dense and uniform to resist moisture.

Question 7: Identify a material that is biodegradable and explain how this property benefits the environment.

Answer: Biodegradable materials like certain bioplastics or cardboard decompose naturally, reducing landfill waste and pollution, thus benefiting the environment.

Question 8: Propose a material suitable for an outdoor playground slide. Justify your choice based on its properties.

Answer: A suitable material could be high-density polyethylene (HDPE) because it is durable, weather-resistant, smooth for safety, and requires low maintenance.

Question 9: Design Brief: You are asked to make a lightweight, transparent food storage container. Which material would you select and what properties should it have?

Answer: Polycarbonate or clear acrylic would be suitable because they are transparent, lightweight, and impact-resistant, making them ideal for food storage.

Question 10: Explain how the thermal conductivity of a material affects its use in a product, giving an example of a material with high and low thermal conductivity.

Answer: Materials with high thermal conductivity, like metals, transfer heat quickly and are used in cooking utensils. Materials with low thermal conductivity, like plastics or rubber, resist heat transfer and are used for handles or insulation.