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Date November 2021 Marks available 9 Reference code 21N.2.SL.TZ0.6
Level SL Paper 2 Time zone no time zone
Command term Explain Question number 6 Adapted from N/A

Question

The Nano Cellulose Vehicle (NCV) is a concept car made from nano cellulose, a new material that can be made from unused biomass or locally sourced wood, see Figure 11. Nano cellulose can be manufactured into parts that are five times as strong as steel, yet one fifth of the weight.

There were a number of drivers (reasons) for the invention of the NCV.

Figures 11 and 12: Images provided with permission from Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan.

List two forms of graphical modelling used by car designers.

[2]
a.

Explain one driver for invention of the NCV in Figure 11.

[3]
b.

A lack of alertness of car users is a major factor in road traffic accidents.

Explain how light and sound could be used by designers of the NCV in Figure 12 to improve the alertness of the user.

[6]
c.

Explain how the use of nano cellulose impacts the pre-production, utilization and disposal stages of the NCV’s life cycle.

[9]
d.

Markscheme

Freehand sketching;
Isometric drawing;
Perspective drawing;
Orthographic projection/working drawing;
Part/assembly drawing;
Exploded view;
Scale drawing;


Award [1] for listing each form of graphical modelling used by car designers up to [2 max].

Do not accept ‘CAD’ drawing.

a.

Scientific/technical curiosity;
Investigating/development of new materials/processes;
To improve on existing cars;


Desire to help others;
Carbon emissions are a cause of climate change;
Has a negative impact on people around the world;


Constructive discontent;
Analysing a situation that benefits from redesign;
By reducing carbon emissions/pollution/impact on climate change;

 

Award [1] for each distinct point in an explanation of a driver for invention of the NCV up to [3 max].

Do not award marks between clusters.

b.

Light:
Windows;
Can increase visibility/the amount of natural light;
Improves mental focus/reduces fatigue;

Headlights/interior/dashboard lighting;
Improves visibility when driving at night;
Which increases safety;

 

Sound:
Audible feedback (from controls);
Can help the driver understand actions undertaken;
Reassures/notifies the driver of any further actions required;

Warning signal/sounds;
Alerts the driver instantly;
To take necessary action (in response to a situation);

 

Award [1] for each distinct point that explains how light and sound could be used by designers of the NPV to improve the alertness of the user up to [3 max].

Do not award marks between clusters.

Mark as [3] + [3].

(Answer in brackets not required for the mark.)

c.

Pre-production:
Nano cellulose is made from unused/waste biomass/locally sourced materials;
Raw material does not need to be extracted;
Lowering energy required/carbon emissions from extraction;


Utilization:

Nano cellulose is lightweight (one fifth the weight of steel);
Requires less energy to power the car;
Reduction in fossil-fuels burnt/less energy (charging) required;

Nano cellulose is strong (five times stronger than steel);
Meaning the car would perform better in collisions/on impact;
Enhancing the safety of the vehicle;

Nano cellulose has a high strength to weight ratio;
Requiring less fuel/energy;
Reducing cost/environmental impact;


Disposal:
Nano cellulose is a natural material;
Making it biodegradable;
Allowing for easier disposal/reduction in energy/toxic pollution/lowering impact on the environment/landfill;

 

Award [1] for each distinct point in an explanation of how the use of nano cellulose impacts the pre-production, utilization and disposal stages of the Nano Cellulose Vehicle’s life cycle up to [3 max].

Do not award marks between clusters.

Mark as [3] + [3] + [3].

(Answer in brackets not required for the mark.)

d.

Examiners report

Quite straightforward for 2 marks as a list 2 question. Quite a few also listed CAD.

a.

A slightly more challenging question, from which it was difficult to achieve 3 marks. Many were unable to identify a driver for the first point but some were able to gain 1-2 marks from subsequent points from other clusters.

b.

A fairly accessible question. The light cluster was quite easy and students were able to attain 1-2 marks without difficulty. Sound was not as well answered. Some students talked about sound needing to be limited as the noise could be a distraction. Still, some achieved 1-2 marks in the sound cluster too.

c.

A fairly accessible question which was generally quite well answered. Candidates responded very well to utilization, quite well to pre-production but not so well with the disposal cluster. Most students I marked achieved 3-6 marks for this question overall.

d.

Syllabus sections

Topic 2: Resource management and sustainable production » 2.6 Eco-design
Topic 2: Resource management and sustainable production

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