Design and Technology GCSE
Functional Purpose
What Functional Purpose means in Design and Technology GCSE, as defined for Pearson Edexcel.
Definitions of Functional Purpose
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
The role a finish plays in protecting the timber from environmental factors such as moisture, heat, UV light, and physical wear.
A modification that improves how a product works, such as adding strength, moisture resistance, or durability.
Topics that use Functional Purpose
- Papers and Boards: Appropriate surface treatments and finishes that can be applied to papers and boards for functional and aesthetic purposes (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Timbers: Appropriate surface treatments and finishes that can be applied to each natural and manufactured timber for functional and aesthetic purposes (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
Related terms
Using Functional Purpose in the exam
Definition questions usually carry one or two marks, and examiners look for the precise wording. Write the definition from memory, check it against the version above, and then use the term in a longer answer on the same topic so it sticks.
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