Virtual and physical testing of systems
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can virtually and physically test a control system.
Key learning points
- Testing electronic circuits and control systems is often referred to as fault finding.
- A multimeter is used to measure current, voltage, resistance in both virtual and physical circuits and control systems.
- Resistance and voltage are measured in parallel but current is measured in series.
- Virtual and physical test results will differ due to the tolerance of physical components and test equipment.
Keywords
Multimeter - an electronic tool that measures voltage, current and resistance
Voltage (V) - the measure of the ‘push’ from a battery that causes charge to be transferred around a circuit
Current (A) - the rate of flow of charge in a circuit
Test - check quality, function and reliability
Common misconception
Testing must always be done using a physical control system.
Testing a control system can be done using a physical control system and a multimeter or using a CAD simulation.
Teacher tip
Familiarise yourself with the settings of your multimeter before demonstrating with the pupils.
Equipment
Multimeters, physical control system prototypes. Access to Tinkercad.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is Ohm's law the relationship between in an electrical circuit?
Q2.Match the concept to the definition.
the opposition to the flow of electric current
the rate of flow of charge in a circuit
the measure of the ‘push’ from a battery
Q3.What does the Ω symbol represent in electrical circuits?
Q4.What is the device that measures resistance, current and voltage in an electrical circuit?
Q5.If a data sheet for a component said 'operating current 20mA', what does this mean?
Q6.Match the data sheet information to the correct component.
LED
Piezoelectric buzzer
DC motor
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is the unit symbol for current?
Q2.When measuring current in a circuit, the multimeter probes should be added in ...
Q3.What is the purpose of the coloured bands on a resistor?
Q4.Which of these current measurements is less than 20 mA?
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Virtual and physical testing of systems, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Virtual and physical testing of systems, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 design and technology lessons from the Systems approach to design: Sustainable Futures unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.