3.4 Testing and investigation

Students should have knowledge and understanding of a range of testing and investigation methods. They should be able to apply relevant mathematical calculations when engineering a solution.

Modelling and calculating

Subject content	Additional information	Mathematical understanding
Predicting performance in any of the systems referred to in Systems.	Students will be expected to use calculations, simulations and modelling either manually or with Computer Aided Design (CAD) to: design and test electronic circuits calculate hydraulic/pneumatic forces. Exam questions will not examine complex systems with more than four major component parts.
Calculate: area volume stiffness density Young's Modulus factors of safety forces within/applied to a component or a system conversion of load/extension to stress/strain (when investigating tensile strength of a material) resistance in series and parallel, current or voltage.		E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9, E10, E11, E12, E13, E14, E15 M1.1, M1.2, M2.3, M2.4, M3.2, M3.3, M3.4, M4.1, M4.2, M4.3, M4.4, M4.5

Subject content

Additional information

Mathematical understanding

Predicting performance in any of the systems referred to in Systems.

Students will be expected to use calculations, simulations and modelling either manually or with Computer Aided Design (CAD) to:

design and test electronic circuits
calculate hydraulic/pneumatic forces.

Exam questions will not examine complex systems with more than four major component parts.

Calculate:

area
volume
stiffness
density
Young's Modulus
factors of safety
forces within/applied to a component or a system
conversion of load/extension to stress/strain (when investigating tensile strength of a material)
resistance in series and parallel, current or voltage.

E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9, E10, E11, E12, E13, E14, E15

M1.1, M1.2, M2.3, M2.4, M3.2, M3.3, M3.4, M4.1, M4.2, M4.3, M4.4, M4.5

Testing

Students will be expected to understand and utilise the following testing methods.

Subject content	Additional information	Mathematical understanding
Methods of testing and evaluating materials and structural behaviour under load, including determining tensile/compressive strength	Students will be expected to use calculations, simulations and modelling either manually or with Computer Aided Design (CAD) to: design and test electronic circuits calculate hydraulic/pneumatic forces. Exam questions will not examine complex systems with more than four major component parts.	M4.1, M4.2
Destructive and non-destructive testing.	The difference between these methods and the advantages of each.
Testing control programs for programmable devices through modelling and enactment.		M2.3, M3.1
Modifying a program to improve performance.	Eg using a micro controller as part of an engineered solution. Changing parameters to adjust motor speed or sensor threshold ranges.
Quality control methods.	The use of quality control methods to ensure successful outcomes through the application of tolerances. Identifying and applying checks during the production process.	M1.4, M2.2

Aerodynamics

Subject content	Additional information	Mathematical understanding
Students will be expected to understand the following terms: lift drag thrust.	Students may be asked about these terms within a context and they should be able to give an example (eg when refining the design of a compressed gas powered dragster). Any appropriate example will be acceptable.

Subject content

Additional information

Mathematical understanding

Students will be expected to understand the following terms:

lift
drag
thrust.

Students may be asked about these terms within a context and they should be able to give an example (eg when refining the design of a compressed gas powered dragster).

Any appropriate example will be acceptable.

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3.3 Systems

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3.5 The impact of modern technologies