Practice IB Design Technology (DT) Topic 1.1c Physiological Factors with authentic exam-style questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank focuses on the exact syllabus content for 1.1c Physiological Factors and mirrors Paper 1, 2, 3 style where relevant.
Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build confidence with questions aligned to IB examiner expectations.
When designing a manual pedal-powered irrigation pump, which physiological factor is primarily monitored to assess the aerobic energy expenditure of the user during operation?
Professional landscape gardeners often use cordless electric hedge trimmers for extended periods. These tools must be designed to accommodate the physiological limits of the human body to ensure both efficiency and user well-being.
Figure 1: A professional cordless hedge trimmer
Identify two factors that influence an individual's physical work capacity when operating heavy outdoor power tools.
Explain why the grip diameter of the trimmer's handle is a critical physiological factor in the tool's design.
Explain two ways that environmental stressors can impact the physiological performance of the operator.
Explain how the management of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) in the design of the tool can improve the safety, fatigue levels, and long-term health of the operator.
Greenfeet publishes a sustainability progress report every year which summarizes the total environmental impact of the products it produces, see Figure 1.
Figure 1: Greenfeet Sustainability Progress Report 2019
| Area of Impact | % |
|---|---|
| CO2 footprint | 39% |
| Land use | 4% |
| Pollution (air) | 28% |
| Pollution (water) | 6% |
| Water consumption | 23% |
Value Chain
| Category | Subcategory | % |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Raw materials | 46% |
| Production sites | 4% | |
| Supply | Supplier (tier 2) | 12% |
| Supplier (tier 1) | 7% | |
| Distribution | Wholesale | 2% |
| Retail | 3% | |
| Direct | 2% | |
| Administration | Staff | 14% |
| Offices | 6% | |
| End of Sale | 4% |
In 2018, Greenfeet introduced the Vertue shoe, featuring an upper made entirely from ocean-recovered plastic. By 2019, the company aimed to produce 1.5 million pairs of Vertue shoes using 200 tons of recovered plastic, with each shoe incorporating around 13 plastic bottles.
In 2019 Greenfeet updated its original Climeate shoe, with yarns made from recycled plastic waste collected from beaches. The 2019 Climeate uses an EVA rubber sole.
For comparison, the original Greenfeet Climeate shoe (2004) featured two diagonal side stripes, a similar panel pattern on the upper, an EVA rubber sole, and a comparable colour scheme.
State the percentage of pollution caused by water pollution.
Outline how the Greenfeet Vertue shoe serves as an example of waste mitigation.
Outline one driver for cleaning up manufacturing.
Outline why sketches would be used in the development of the Greenfeet Vertue shoe.
Explain one physiological factor considered in shoe sole design.
Outline the maximum and minimum percentiles that Greenfeet would use when manufacturing the Climeate shoe.
Describe how the EVA rubber sole of the Greenfeet Climeate shoe could be moulded.
List two consequences of a manufacturing process that uses large quantities of raw materials.
List one characteristic that the retro-styled Greenfeet Climeate shoe (2019) shares with the original Greenfeet Climeate shoe (2004).
Which of the following physiological factors is most likely to affect the design of a hand tool for prolonged use?
An ergonomics researcher measured the average time taken for a participant to react to various sensory inputs during a simulated industrial task. The results are recorded in the table below.
| Sensory Input | Mean Reaction Time (ms) |
|---|---|
| Visual (Flashing Signal) | 245 |
| Haptic (Vibration) | 205 |
| Auditory (Warning Tone) | 165 |
| Visual (Text Display) | 390 |
Based on this physiological data, which sensory input should be prioritized for a time-critical safety alert?