Practice 4.3.8. Explain how Newton’s three laws of motion apply to sporting activities. with authentic IB Sports, exercise and health science (SEHS - Old) exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1, 2, 3 structure, covering key topics like core principles, advanced applications, and practical problem-solving. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.
Paper
Level
Question 1
HLPaper 2
1.[5]
Outline reasons for recovery following a baseball game.
2.[4]
Using Newton’s second law of motion, apply it to the distance travelled by a baseball after being struck.
3.[4]
Outline how the Bernoulli principle affects a baseball in flight.
4.[6]
Outline different types of drag and how to reduce them in swimming.
Question 2
SLPaper 1
A golfer wants to make their ball travel further by increaing the force applied to the ball. Assuming it is hit by the same acceleration, which golf club should they use?
Question 3
SLPaper 2
1.[5]
Describe the recommended relative contribution of macronutrients in a healthybalanced diet.
2.[6]
Using an example, discuss the effect of experience and memory on selective attention.
3.[5]
Outline how the Bernoulli principle affects a golf ball in flight.
4.[4]
Apply Newton’s second law of motion to the distance travelled by a golf ball after beingstruck.
Question 4
HLPaper 2
An alpine skier is descending a steep slope. The diagram below shows the forces acting on the skier during the descent.
1.[4]
Identify the forces acting on the skier as shown in the diagram.
2.[3]
Explain how friction affects the skier's performance during the descent.
3.[2]
Calculate the net force acting on the skier if the gravitational force component along the slope is 600 N, the normal force is 400 N, the frictional force is 150 N, and the drag force is 100 N.
4.[4]
Discuss how the skier can optimize their performance by managing friction and drag forces.
Question 5
SLPaper 2
1.[5]
Distinguish between the skill profile of a javelin throw and forehand shots in a competitive game of table tennis.
2.[4]
Describe how a glucose molecule forms a polysaccharide molecule.
3.[5]
Explain the application of Newton’s three laws of motion to a swimmer as they start a race from the blocks.
4.[6]
Analyze the distribution of blood during maximal exercise.
Question 6
SLPaper 1
Which is an example of the application of Newton’s second law of motion?
Question 7
SLPaper 2
1.[6]
Explain the mechanics of pulmonary ventilation in the human lungs at rest.
2.[6]
Outline three types of transfer that a sports coach needs to take into account when planning a practice, with reference to sporting examples.
3.[4]
Explain how the application of Newton’s third law of motion enables an athlete to run uphill.
Question 8
SLPaper 2
1.[3]
Distinguish between the movement permitted in different types of joints.
2.[4]
Outline the re-synthesis of ATP by the ATP–CP system.
3.[6]
Using examples from team sports, evaluate the concept of the psychological refractory period (PRP).
4.[3]
Describe how cardiovascular drift takes place.
5.[4]
Using an example, analyse conditions for acceleration.
Question 9
HLPaper 2
1.[5]
Using examples, suggest simple notation systems for a football game.
2.[1]
Define Newton’s first law of motion.
3.[5]
Apply methods of minimizing and maximizing friction in a sport.
4.[4]
Explain how Newton’s laws of motion apply in a team sport.
Question 10
SLPaper 1
A ball hit during a game of squash is subject to Newton’s laws of motion. What will increase the acceleration of the ball?
I. Increasing the angular velocity of the racket head
II. Increasing the force applied to the ball
III. Increasing the mass of the ball