The Leaving Certificate Technology syllabus does not require a sophisticated knowledge of mathematics--a basic understanding of algebra, arithmetic, geometry and trigonometry will suffice. Students will be expected to understand, use and present numbers expressed in standard form. They will be expected to recognise standard prefixes used with the symbols for physical quantities (see below and opposite).
Students may use an electronic calculator that conforms to examination regulations.
Symbols and Units
Throughout the course, students will be expected to recognise and use the correct symbols and units for physical quantities. The table below shows the most common quantities likely to arise in Technology.
| PhysicalQuantity | Symbol | Unit Name | Unit Symbol | Expressed in termsof other units |
|---|
| length | l | metre | m | |
| area | A | square metre | m2 | |
| mass | m | kilogram | kg | |
| time | t | second | s | |
| speed | v | metre per second | M s1 or m/s | |
| force | F | newton | N | |
| moment of a force | M | newton metre | N m | |
| torque | T | newton metre | N m | |
| work | W | joule | J | N m |
| energy | E | joule | J | N m |
| power | P | watt | W | J s1 |
| temperature | T
t | kelvin
degree Celsius | K
°C | |
| electric charge | Q, q | coulomb | C | |
| electric current | I | ampere | A | |
| potential difference | V | volt | V | |
| capacitance | C | farad | F | C V1 |
| resistance | R | ohm | | |
| frequency | f | hertz | Hz | s1 |
| angle | | degree | ° | |
The following SI prefixes may also arise in Technology.
| Prefix | Symbol | Factor |
|---|
| giga | G | 109 |
| mega | M | 106 |
| kilo | k | 103 |
| centi | c | 102 |
| milli | m | 103 |
| micro | µ | 106 |
| nano | n | 109 |
| pico | p | 1012 |
Relationships and Formulas
Students should know and be able to use appropriate relationships and formulas. The derivation of these formulas is not required. Some typical relationships and formulas used in Leaving Certificate Technology are presented below. Others may be found in the Mathematical Tables, copies of which will be available during the examination.
Uniform linear motion:
Work:
Average power used:
Moment of force:
Mechanical advantage:
Velocity ratio:
Gear ratio:
Efficiency (%):
Ohm's law:
Resistors in series:
Resistors in parallel:
Electrical power:
Electrical/Electronic Circuit Symbols
Cell
Battery
On/Off Switch
Push Switch (PTM)
Bulb
Fixed Resistor
Variable Resistor
Potentiometer
Thermistor
Light Dependent Resistor [LDR]
Buzzer
Speaker
Motor
Diode
Light Emitting Diode [LED]
Photodiode
Transistor (NPN type)
Capacitor
Electrolytic Capacitor
Relay and Contacts
Logic Gates
AND
OR
NOT
NAND