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New
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Year 7

Exploded diagrams

I can produce an exploded diagram to show different parts.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 7

Exploded diagrams

I can produce an exploded diagram to show different parts.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Exploded diagrams visually separate the parts of an object while maintaining their relative positions.
  2. Effective exploded diagrams include a centre line for alignment, equal spacing between parts and clear labeling.
  3. Exploded diagrams can be shown vertically or horizontally.

Keywords

  • Exploded diagram - shows all parts of an object separated in the correct places along an axis or plane

  • Centre line - a dashed line that marks the middle of a hole or a symmetrical part of an object

Common misconception

The parts in an exploded diagram can be positioned anywhere.

Parts should be placed along a centre line, positioned vertically or horizontally away from the centre.


To help you plan your year 7 design and technology lesson on: Exploded diagrams, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Having objects to hand that pupils can pull apart to visualise an exploded diagram can help with explanations.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

Pen, pencil, rubber, ruler.

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a freehand sketch?
a digital image
a sketch drawn using tools only
Correct answer: a drawing made by hand without using a ruler
a drawing with labels only
Q2.
Adding light and dark areas to a drawing helps create __________.
Correct answer: tone
patterns
colour
detail
Q3.
Match the technique to its purpose:
Correct Answer:crating,helps draw 3D shapes using a box
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helps draw 3D shapes using a box

Correct Answer:rendering,adds colour, texture or tone to a drawing
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adds colour, texture or tone to a drawing

Correct Answer:annotation,explains parts of the drawing with notes
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explains parts of the drawing with notes

Correct Answer:orthographic drawing,shows multiple views of a product
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shows multiple views of a product

Q4.
What is one-point perspective used for?
to show what a product looks like from above
to give a flat, 2D appearance
Correct answer: to show depth by using a single vanishing point
to colour in a product
Q5.
An drawing uses labels to explain parts of the design.
Correct Answer: annotated, annotate
Q6.
What do we use to show texture and surface detail in a drawing?
perspective
Correct answer: colour and shading
measurements
glue and scissors

4 Questions

Q1.
What is the purpose of an exploded diagram?
to show the product from one angle only
to decorate the page with colour
Correct answer: to show all the parts separated but in the correct positions
to make a sketch more creative
Q2.
A dashed line that shows the middle of a hole or symmetrical part is called a .
Correct Answer: centreline, centre line, centerline, center line
Q3.
Match the feature to its purpose in an exploded diagram:
Correct Answer:centre line,helps align all the parts
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helps align all the parts

Correct Answer:equal spacing,keeps the parts visually organised and readable
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keeps the parts visually organised and readable

Correct Answer:labelling,shows the name or detail of each part
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shows the name or detail of each part

Correct Answer:explosion direction,shows the assembly layout, horizontally or vertically
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shows the assembly layout, horizontally or vertically

Q4.
An exploded diagram can be drawn vertically or depending on the design.
Correct Answer: horizontally, horizontal