📚 Year 7 Cambridge Engineering: Quick Vocabulary Guide | Year 7 Cambridge 工程：词汇术语速记指南
Welcome to your fast-track vocabulary guide for Year 7 Cambridge Engineering. Mastering key terms early will help you understand concepts, follow design briefs, and communicate your ideas clearly in projects and assessments. This article covers essential terminology across forces, materials, mechanisms, electronics, drawing, and design processes — each with a simple memory aid.
欢迎使用 Year 7 Cambridge 工程的词汇速记指南。尽早掌握关键术语能帮助你理解概念、遵循设计简报，并在项目和评估中清晰表达想法。本文涵盖力、材料、机构、电子、绘图和设计流程等方面的基本术语，每个术语都配有简单的记忆技巧。
1. Core Engineering Concepts | 工程核心概念
Engineering – The practical application of science and maths to design, build and improve structures, machines and systems. Think of engineers as problem-solvers who turn ideas into reality while considering safety, cost and sustainability.
工程 – 运用科学与数学知识设计、建造和改进结构、机器与系统的实践。工程师就像解决问题的人，在考虑安全、成本和可持续性的同时把想法变为现实。
Technology – Any tool, machine or system designed to meet human needs. From a simple lever to a smartphone, technology is the outcome of applying engineering skills and creativity.
技术 – 为满足人类需求而设计的工具、机器或系统。从简单的杠杆到智能手机，技术就是运用工程技能与创造力的成果。
Innovation – Introducing something new or improving an existing product or process. Engineering thrives on innovation — think of adding a safety guard to a machine or creating a lighter bicycle frame.
创新 – 引入新事物或改进现有产品或流程。工程离不开创新，例如给机器加装安全罩或制作更轻的自行车架。
Iterative design – A cycle of designing, building, testing and improving. Rather than getting it right first time, engineers refine prototypes again and again; the loop helps spot weak points early.
迭代设计 – 设计、制作、测试和改进的循环过程。工程师不会一次就做对，而是反复改良原型；这个循环能帮助及早发现弱点。
2. The Design Process | 设计流程
Design brief – A short statement that describes the problem to be solved, who the user is and any key requirements. It is the starting point for every engineering project.
设计简报 – 一份描述需解决的问题、目标用户和关键要求的简短说明。它是每个工程项目的起点。
Specification – A detailed list of measurable requirements the final product must meet, such as size, weight, materials, cost and safety standards. Use it as a checklist when evaluating ideas.
规格说明 – 产品必须满足的详细可测量要求列表，例如尺寸、重量、材料、成本和安全标准。在评估方案时可把它当作核查清单。
Constraint – A limitation that restricts the design, such as budget, time, available materials or legal rules. Working within constraints is a key engineering skill.
约束 – 限制设计的因素，如预算、时间、可用材料或法律法规。在约束条件下工作是工程师的关键能力。
Prototype – An early sample or model built to test an idea. Prototypes can be made from cardboard, clay, 3D‑printed plastic or other cheap materials before committing to the final build.
原型 – 为测试想法而制作的早期样品或模型。原型可以用卡纸、粘土、3D打印塑料或其他廉价材料制作，不需要一开始就投入最终材料。
Evaluate – To test, measure and judge how well a design meets the specification. Evaluation often leads to improvements and feeds back into the iterative design cycle.
评估 – 测试、测量并判断设计在多大程度上满足规格说明。评估结果通常会导向改进，并返回到迭代设计循环中。
3. Forces and Loads | 力与载荷
Force – A push or pull acting on an object, measured in newtons (N). Forces can make objects move, change speed, alter shape or stay still if balanced.
力 – 作用在物体上的推或拉，单位为牛顿（N）。力可以让物体运动、改变速度、改变形状，或者当力平衡时使物体保持静止。
Load – The weight or force that a structure must support. In a bridge, the load includes its own weight (dead load) and the weight of traffic (live load).
载荷 – 结构必须承受的重量或力。在桥梁中，载荷包括其自身重量（恒载）和交通重量（活载）。
Tension – A pulling force that tries to stretch a material. Picture a rope in a tug‑of‑war – it experiences tension and can snap if overloaded.
拉伸（张力） – 试图拉长材料的拉力。想象拔河中的绳子——它承受拉力，超载就可能断裂。
Compression – A pushing force that tries to squash or shorten a material. Concrete pillars in a building work in compression.
压缩（压力） – 试图压扁或缩短材料的推力。建筑中的混凝土柱子就在受压状态下工作。
Torsion – A twisting force. Turning a screwdriver applies torsion to the handle and shaft. If the metal is too weak, it may twist permanently.
扭转 – 一种扭转力。转动螺丝刀时会在手柄和杆上施加扭转力。如果金属太软，可能会发生永久扭曲。
Shear – A force that tries to cut or slide one layer of material past another. Scissors apply shear to paper; rivets in a bridge resist shear forces.
剪切 – 试图切割或让材料层之间发生滑动的力。剪刀对纸张施加剪切力；桥梁中的铆钉抵抗剪切力。
4. Simple Mechanisms | 简单机械
Lever – A rigid bar that rotates around a fixed point (fulcrum) to multiply effort. A crowbar lifting a heavy stone is a class 1 lever with the fulcrum between effort and load.
杠杆 – 一根绕固定点（支点）转动的刚性杆，可放大作用力。撬棍撬起重石就是第一类杠杆，支点在施力与负载之间。
Fulcrum – The pivot point around which a lever turns. Moving the fulcrum closer to the load reduces the effort needed.
支点 – 杠杆旋转的枢轴点。把支点向负载方向靠近可以减小所需施力。
Mechanical Advantage (MA) – A measure of how much a mechanism multiplies the effort force. For an ideal lever:
MA = Load ÷ Effort
机械优势（MA） – 衡量机构能把作用力放大多少倍的指标。对于理想杠杆：
MA ＝ 负载 ÷ 施力
Gear – A toothed wheel that meshes with another gear to transmit torque and change speed or direction. On a bicycle, the chain runs over gears to make pedalling easier uphill (low gear) or faster on flat roads (high gear).
齿轮 – 一种带齿的轮子，与另一齿轮啮合以传递扭矩并改变速度或方向。在自行车上，链条绕过不同齿轮，上坡时用低挡省力，平路上用高挡快速骑行。
Pulley – A wheel with a groove that carries a rope or belt to lift loads or transmit motion. A single fixed pulley changes the direction of pull but does not reduce effort; adding movable pulleys increases mechanical advantage.
滑轮 – 带有凹槽的轮子，通过绳子或皮带提升负载或传递运动。一个定滑轮只改变拉力方向但不会省力；增加动滑轮可增大机械优势。
Linkage – A system of bars connected by joints to convert motion. A pair of scissors uses a linkage to transform the movement of your fingers into a cutting action.
连杆机构 – 通过关节连接的杆件系统，用于转换运动。剪刀用连杆机构将手指动作转变为剪切动作。
5. Material Properties | 材料特性
Strength – The ability to withstand an applied force without breaking. A steel girder has high tensile strength, while ceramic tiles have high compressive strength but may crack under tension.
强度 – 承受外力而不断裂的能力。钢梁抗拉强度高，而瓷砖抗压强度高但在拉力下容易破裂。
Toughness – The ability to absorb energy without fracturing. Tough materials, like polythene, can withstand impacts; brittle materials, like glass, cannot.
韧性 – 吸收能量而不发生断裂的能力。像聚乙烯这样的韧性材料可承受冲击；而玻璃等脆性材料则不行。
Hardness – Resistance to scratching, denting or surface wear. Diamond is extremely hard, so it is used in cutting tools and abrasives.
硬度 – 抵抗划伤、凹陷或表面磨损的能力。钻石极硬，因此用于切割工具和磨料。
Ductility – The ability to be drawn into a wire or stretched without breaking. Copper is ductile, which is why it is used in electrical wires.
延展性 – 能被拉成细丝或拉伸而不断裂的能力。铜具有延展性，因此被制成电线。
Malleability – The ability to be hammered or rolled into thin sheets without cracking. Aluminium is highly malleable and is used to make foil and drinks cans.
可锻性 – 能被锤打或轧制成薄板而不开裂的能力。铝具有很强的可锻性，用于制造铝箔和饮料罐。
Elasticity – The ability to return to original shape after a force is removed. Rubber bands show high elasticity; after stretching they spring back.
弹性 – 撤去外力后恢复原状的能力。橡皮筋表现出高弹性，拉伸后能够弹回。
6. Woods and Boards | 木材与人造板
Softwood – Wood from coniferous trees (pine, fir). It grows quickly, is easier to cut and is widely used in construction, furniture and paper. Most softwoods are less dense than hardwoods.
软木 – 来自针叶树（松木、冷杉）的木材。生长快，易切割，广泛用于建筑、家具和造纸。多数软木密度低于硬木。
Hardwood – Wood from deciduous trees (oak, beech, mahogany). It generally takes longer to grow, is denser and is prized for fine furniture, flooring and musical instruments.
硬木 – 来自落叶树（橡木、榉木、桃花心木）的木材。通常生长较慢，密度更大，常被用于精细家具、地板和乐器。
Manufactured board – Man‑made sheets such as plywood, medium‑density fibreboard (MDF) and chipboard. They are made by bonding wood fibres, particles or veneers with adhesive, and often provide a uniform surface free of knots.
人造板 – 如胶合板、中密度纤维板（MDF）和刨花板等人造板材。通过胶粘剂将木纤维、颗粒或单板粘合而成，表面均匀无节疤。
Grain – The direction of wood fibres. Working with the grain (planing or cutting parallel to fibres) gives a smooth finish; working against the grain makes wood tear and splinter.
木纹 – 木材纤维的方向。顺着木纹（平行于纤维刨削或切割）可获得光滑表面；逆纹加工会导致木材撕裂和劈裂。
Seasoned wood – Timber that has been dried to reduce moisture content. Seasoning prevents warping, cracking and fungal attack, making the wood stable for furniture and construction.
干燥木材 – 经过干燥以降低含水量的木材。干燥处理能防止翘曲、开裂和真菌侵害，使木材在制作家具和建筑中更加稳定。
7. Metals: Ferrous and Non‑Ferrous | 金属：铁与非铁
Ferrous metal – A metal containing iron. Most ferrous metals are magnetic and can rust when exposed to moisture. Examples include mild steel and cast iron.
铁质金属（黑色金属） – 含有铁的金属。大多数铁质金属具有磁性，遇湿会生锈。典型例子有软钢和铸铁。
Non‑ferrous metal – A metal that does not contain significant amounts of iron, so it does not rust and is normally non‑magnetic. Aluminium, copper and brass are widely used in electrical wires, plumbing and aircraft parts.
非铁金属（有色金属） – 不含大量铁的金属，因此不锈且通常无磁性。铝、铜和黄铜广泛用于电线、管道和飞机零件。
Alloy – A mixture of two or more metals, or a metal with a non‑metal, designed to improve properties. Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon; adding chromium produces stainless steel that resists rust.
合金 – 两种或多种金属，或金属与非金属的混合物，旨在改善性能。钢是铁和碳的合金；添加铬可制成抗锈的不锈钢。
Corrosion – The gradual destruction of a metal by chemical reaction with its environment. Rust is a form of corrosion that affects iron and steel. Painting, oiling or galvanising slows corrosion.
腐蚀 – 金属与环境发生化学反应而逐渐被破坏。铁锈是影响钢铁的一种腐蚀形式。上漆、涂油或镀锌可减缓腐蚀。
8. Plastics | 塑料
Thermoplastic – A plastic that softens when heated and hardens when cooled, allowing it to be reshaped and recycled many times. Acrylic, polythene and PVC are common thermoplastics. Think of spaghetti: it softens in hot water, then becomes firm again when cold.
热塑性塑料 – 加热软化、冷却变硬的塑料，可多次重塑和回收。常见的如亚克力、聚乙烯和PVC。可以这样记：就像意面在热水里变软，凉了又变硬。
Thermosetting plastic – A plastic that sets permanently when heated and cannot be remoulded. It is strong and heat‑resistant, making it ideal for pan handles (e.g. melamine) and electrical fittings (e.g. epoxy resins). Think of a baked cake: once set, you cannot return it to batter.
热固性塑料 – 加热后永久固化且不能再次成型的塑料。它坚固耐热，适合做锅柄（如三聚氰胺）和电器配件（如环氧树脂）。可以这样记：像烤熟的蛋糕，一旦定型就无法变回面糊。
Polymer – A long‑chain molecule made up of repeating units, the building block of plastics. Both thermoplastics and thermosets are polymers, but their chains are arranged differently, explaining their different behaviours when heated.
聚合物 – 由重复单元组成的长链分子，是塑料的基础。热塑性和热固性塑料都是聚合物，但分子链排列方式不同，因此遇热表现各异。
9. Sustainability and the Environment | 可持续性与环境
Recycle – To process used materials into new products. Recycling aluminium saves up to 95% of the energy needed to produce new aluminium from ore. In the workshop, separate scrap metal, plastic and paper bins help build good habits.
回收 – 将旧材料加工成新产品。回收铝能节约从矿石提炼新铝所需能源的95%。在车间里设置废金属、塑料和纸张的分类桶有助于养成好习惯。
Sustainable – Meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. Using bamboo instead of slow‑growing hardwood for furniture, or designing a product that lasts 20 years instead of 2, are sustainable choices.
可持续的 – 满足当前需求而不损害后代满足其需求的能力。用竹子替代慢生硬木做家具，或把产品寿命设计为20年而非2年，都是可持续的选择。
Carbon footprint – The total amount of greenhouse gases released during a product’s life, from raw material extraction to disposal. Choosing local materials and energy‑efficient manufacturing reduces a product’s carbon footprint.
碳足迹 – 一种产品从原材料开采到废弃的全生命周期所排放的温室气体总量。选择本地材料和节能工艺能降低产品的碳足迹。
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) – A method that looks at the environmental impact of a product at every stage: raw materials, manufacture, use, transport and disposal. Engineers use LCA to compare materials and improve eco‑friendliness.
生命周期评估（LCA） – 一种考察产品从原材料、制造、使用、运输到处置各阶段环境影响的方法。工程师利用LCA比较材料并提升环保性能。
10. Technical Drawing | 技术绘图
Orthographic projection – A way of showing a 3D object in 2D by drawing separate views, usually front, side and plan (top). Each view looks straight on, so sizes remain true and can be dimensioned accurately.
正投影 – 通过绘制分开的视图（通常为前视图、侧视图和俯视图）来表现三维物体的一种二维画法。每个视图都是正视，尺寸不变，可精确标注。
Isometric drawing – A pictorial drawing that shows three faces of an object at once, with all vertical lines remaining vertical and horizontal lines drawn at 30° to the horizontal. It gives a realistic 3D feel without the need for a computer.
等轴测图 – 同时展示物体三个面的立体图，所有竖线保持垂直，水平线则与水平方向成30°绘制。即使没有计算机也能呈现真实的三维感。
Dimension – A measurement added to a drawing, usually in millimetres (mm). Extension lines, dimension lines and arrowheads make it clear what length, height or depth is expected in the finished piece.
尺寸标注 – 添加到图样上的度量，通常以毫米（mm）为单位。引出线、尺寸线和箭头清楚表明成品的长度、高度或深度要求。
CAD / CAM – Computer‑Aided Design (CAD) is using software to create precise 2D and 3D models. Computer‑Aided Manufacturing (CAM) then sends instructions to machines like laser cutters or 3D printers to make the part.
CAD / CAM – 计算机辅助设计（CAD）指用软件创建精确的二维和三维模型；计算机辅助制造（CAM）则把指令发送给激光切割机或3D打印机等机器来制造零件。
11. Basic Electronics | 基础电子学
Circuit – A closed conducting path that allows electric current to flow. If the loop is broken – for instance by an open switch – current stops and the device turns off.
电路 – 允许电流流动的闭合导电回路。如果回路断开（比如开关断开），电流就会中断，设备关闭。
Battery – A portable source of direct current (DC). It provides the ‘push’ (voltage) needed to move charges around a circuit. In a simple LED torch, the battery supplies the energy.
电池 – 一种便携式直流电源。它提供推动电荷在回路中运动的“推力”（电压）。在简单的LED手电筒中，电池就是能量来源。
LED (Light Emitting Diode) – A small, efficient light source that only allows current in one direction. LEDs need a resistor in series to prevent too much current from burning them out.
LED（发光二极管） – 一种小巧高效
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