Practice IB Sports, exercise and health science (SEHS) Topic B.2 Forces, Motion and Movement with authentic exam-style questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank focuses on the exact syllabus content for B.2 Forces, Motion and Movement and mirrors Paper 1A, 1B, 2 style where relevant.
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The graph shows vertical displacement of the center of mass over 1 second for two gymnastics skills. Based on the graph, what does Skill B’s centre of mass trajectory indicate compared with Skill A?
A tennis player practices serving toward an elevated platform, simulating pressure shots into corners of the court or elevated targets (Figure 1). Motion capture and performance analysis software were used to record flight trajectory, clearance height, and recovery time across different launch angles (Table 1). The aim was to understand how varying launch angles impact performance trade-offs, including net clearance, ball height, and time available for recovery.
Table 1: Performance Characteristics at Different Launch Angles
| Launch Angle (°) | Landing Height (m) | Flight Time (s) | Clearance Above Net (m) | Recovery Time (s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 4.2 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 1.5 |
| 35 | 6.1 | 2.0 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| 40 | 8.5 | 2.3 | 1.9 | 1.2 |
| 45 | 10.0 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 1.0 |
| 50 | 9.7 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 0.9 |
Refer to Table 1. At which launch angle does the ball reach the maximum landing height?
Refer to Table 1. Describe the relationship between launch angle and recovery time, and explain what this suggests about performance trade-offs.
Using Figure 1, explain how the elevated target influences the required flight path compared to a flat-court shot.
Suggest why increasing launch angle improves net clearance but may reduce tactical effectiveness in a fast-paced rally.
Based on Table 1, justify why a 40° launch angle might be ideal for balancing both safety (net clearance) and recovery time.
Evaluate how understanding projectile motion can influence training strategies and shot selection in high-performance tennis, with reference to both biomechanical efficiency and game context.
Using the graph of momentum before and after a collision on different surfaces, which surface shows the greatest decrease in momentum during the collision?
A sports science lab analyzed the first second of sprint acceleration for an elite 100m sprinter. Using a force plate and motion capture, they recorded velocity, net horizontal force, and impulse values in 0.2s intervals. Data are presented in Figure 1 and Figure 2. Impulse was calculated as the product of force × time, and velocity data were used to calculate acceleration and momentum changes. The purpose was to evaluate the sprinter’s ability to apply force efficiently during the start phase using biomechanical principles.
Figure 1: Velocity of Sprinter Over First Second
Figure 2: Net Force and Impulse During the First Second
Refer to Figure 1. At what point does the sprinter experience the greatest rate of change in velocity (acceleration)?
Refer to Figure 1. Describe the overall trend in velocity and what this indicates about the sprinter’s acceleration profile.
Using Newton’s second law (F=ma), explain why the sprinter’s net force output must have decreased over the 1-second period.
Explain how impulse contributes to the change in velocity during the sprinter’s start phase. 1 mark
A javelin thrower is analysing her technique with her coach. The figure shows how the range of a projectile depends on its release speed, when it is thrown at a fixed angle. Table 1 shows data recorded from one of her throws.
Figure: Range against release speed
Table: Data from one of her throws
| Quantity | Value |
|---|---|
| Release speed | 28 m s⁻¹ |
| Release angle | 34° |
| Release height | 2.0 m |
| Mass of javelin | 0.80 kg |
| Flight time | 3.2 s |
Using the figure, describe the relationship between release speed and range.
Using the figure, the thrower increases her release speed by 10%. State the approximate percentage increase in range.
Using the table, calculate the horizontal component of the release velocity. (horizontal velocity = release speed × cos(release angle))
Using your answer to the last question and the flight time, calculate the horizontal distance the javelin travels.
Explain why the thrower releases the javelin from a height of about 2.0 m rather than at ground level.
Explain why the optimal release angle for the javelin (34°) is less than 45°.