| Date | November 2019 | Marks available | 2 | Reference code | 19N.2.SL.TZ0.7 |
| Level | SL | Paper | 2 | Time zone | no time zone |
| Command term | Outline | Question number | 7 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Zuperzozial is a Dutch company that manufactures a range of kitchenware (plates, cups, serving utensils, and vessels) from biodegradable bioplastic that is made from renewable resources (such as, corn, sugar cane and grain), see Figure 14.
The environmentally conscious kitchenware is stylish and durable. It also has a similar weight, feel, performance and dimensions to existing ceramic products. Zuperzozial are distributing their product through specialist kitchen stores, where they are displayed alongside conventional kitchenware. Zuperzozial needs to sell the kitchenware at a slightly higher cost than conventional kitchenware to recover the cost of the new technology used to manufacture using bioplastics.
Outline one psychological factor the Zuperzozial kitchenware’s designers need to consider.
Explain one physical property that the material used in the Zuperzozial kitchenware needs to possess.
Explain one advantage of using Finite element analysis (FEA) and one advantage of using physical models for testing the Zuperzozial kitchenware.
Explain how Rogers’ characteristics of relative advantage, compatibility and observability help in the diffusion of the Zuperzozial kitchenware.
Markscheme
Taste ✓
The kitchenware should not release any chemical/taste/flavour/residue/contamination onto the food being served ✓
Smell ✓
The kitchenware should not release any unpleasant odour/smell ✓
Sound ✓
The kitchenware should be smooth to make it easy to clean/use ✓
Award [1] for identifying one psychological factor the Zuperzozial kitchenware needs to consider and [1] for a brief explanation.
Do not award marks between clusters.
Hardness ✓
The kitchenware needs to resist scratching ✓
When used with knives/forks/cutlery on its surface ✓
Weight ✓
The kitchenware must not be too heavy ✓
Which would make it difficult to use/hold/carry ✓
Thermal conductivity ✓
The kitchenware should not readily conduct excess heat ✓
When used with hot food/warming food (in an oven) ✓
Award [1] for each of three distinct points in an explanation of one physical property that the material used in the Zuperzozial kitchenware needs to possess up to [3 max].
Do not award marks between clusters.
Finite Element Analysis:
FEA allows the calculation and simulation of unknown factors in products using CAD systems ✓
Which can be used to test the mechanical/physical properties (accept compressive strength/tensile strength/toughness/hardness/density/weight/mass) ✓
And allows for quick/easy/cost effective modifications to the design (based on the results of testing) ✓
Physical models:
Physical models allow the creation of a tangible version of an object that can be physically interacted with ✓
To help evaluate size/proportions/texture of the design ✓
Which would provide more accurate/realistic feedback ✓
Award [1] for each of three distinct points in an explanation of the advantages of using FEA and physical models for testing the Zuperzozial kitchenware.
Mark as [3] + [3].
Answer in brackets is not required to award the mark.
Relative advantage:
How improved an innovation is over the previous generation ✓
The Zuperzozial kitchenware present an improvement over previous plates as they are made using biodegradable/ green materials ✓
This is important because consumers are unlikely to consider something more expensive unless they can see that it has an advantage ✓
Compatibility:
The level of compatibility that an innovation has to be assimilated into an individual’s life ✓
The Zuperzozial plates have the same dimensions/characteristics/properties as existing plates so they are easily compatible with an individual’s life ✓
It is important to consumers that the plates can work with the existing meals/storage/dishwasher/systems that they use ✓
Observability:
The extent that an innovation is visible to others ✓
Consumers can observe the Zuperzozial products via kitchen stores/TV/magazines/social media/websites ✓
Which helps to diffuse the product into the market ✓
Award [1] for each of three distinct points in an explanation of how Rogers’ characteristics of relative advantage, compatibility and observability help in the diffusion of the Zuperzozial kitchenware.
Mark as [3] + [3] + [3].
Examiners report
A straightforward question but many candidates are still unsure about what the psychological factors are with many still talking about colour and aesthetics. Still, a number of students did opt for texture and achieved at least one mark and in some cases two marks.
A slightly more challenging question about the advantages of FEA and physical modelling for the kitchenware. Although fairly straightforward to answer with good opportunities to achieve marks from the 2 clusters provided, it is possible that FEA would not be used with this type of product. There are also many different factors that FEA aims to test that were too numerous to list in the mark scheme.
This was the most straightforward of the three 9 mark questions for those who with good knowledge of Topic 5, Innovation and design, and in particular Rogers characteristics of innovation. Many candidates were able to achieve in the 7-9 mark range for this question. Those who were not as familiar with Roger's characteristics however generally only achieved in the 2-5 mark range.
