IB Computer Science B.2 Simulations Questionbank

Commercial airlines and military organizations utilize advanced flight simulators to train pilots in a controlled environment. These systems use complex mathematical models to replicate the aerodynamics of an aircraft and the physics of the surrounding atmosphere.

Simulated environments allow pilots to experience a wide range of flight conditions, from routine take-offs to critical mechanical failures, without leaving the ground.

A community health clinic operates with two primary treatment rooms and a shared diagnostic area. Patients arriving at the clinic must first register at the reception desk, after which a nurse records their vital signs in the diagnostic area. Once vitals are recorded, the patient waits for an available treatment room to consult with a doctor.

Currently, the clinic follows a strict first-come, first-served (FCFS) protocol. Even during peak hours, the nurse only processes one patient at a time, and the doctors do not begin their consultation until the full digital file (including vitals) is uploaded to the system.

The regional health board has provided the clinic with discrete-event simulation software to analyze patient flow. The software models various scenarios, accounting for different ailment categories (e.g., minor injuries, respiratory infections, routine check-ups) and the specific time required for each stage of the visit.

The rise in global temperatures has led to the melting of the sea ice in polar regions. Scientists have developed a number of computer models that can be used to make predictions about the rate of sea ice melting in these polar regions and its effect on coastal areas globally. In order to create a computer model a number of variables are identified.

A computer model of the effects of the melting of the sea ice in the Arctic Ocean may include the following variables:

• average ocean surface temperature (°C)
• albedo of the ocean (the proportion of light reflected from the ocean surface)
• precipitation (mm)
• salinity of the ocean (grammes of salt in one kilogramme of water)
• area of sea ice (km²)

In this model the following rules have been determined:

• for every 0.01 °C increase in ocean surface temperature, the area of sea ice decreases by 1 %
• for every 1 % decrease in the area of the sea ice, the sea level rises by 20 mm

The initial values are:

• area of sea ice = 1 000 000 km²
• average surface temperature of the ocean is 0.00 °C

For the next iteration, assume there is an increase of 0.04 °C in the ocean surface temperature.

The scientists observed when running the model numerous times using historical data there were significant differences between observed and expected results.

A second model was developed that included new variables and rules.

The surface of the ocean reflects the heat from the sun. The ratio between the area covered by the sea ice and the area where there is no sea ice (open ocean) affects the value of the average albedo. The lower the albedo, the quicker the sea ice will melt.

The average albedo is calculated using this formula:

Urban planning and infrastructure development increasingly rely on computational models to handle the complexities of modern transportation. Traffic flow simulations are used to design efficient road networks and minimize congestion in growing cities.

Investment planning is something that many people need to be aware of. Planning for your future requires research because bad choices can be very costly.

Interest paid on money invested is usually in the form of compound interest. The formula to calculate compound interest is:

$T = P(1 + r)^n$