| Date | November 2020 | Marks available | 5 | Reference code | 20N.2.SL.TZ0.6 |
| Level | SL | Paper | 2 | Time zone | no time zone |
| Command term | Explain | Question number | 6 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Simulation software can be used to produce a 3D visualization of rising sea levels that change as the user alters the percentage of ice that has melted.
Figure 3: 3D visualization of rising sea levels
[Source: Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech.]
Define the term visualization.
Identify how a 2D visualization could be used in this scenario.
Explain the benefits of using visualization when simulating rising sea levels.
Once the 3D visualization has been rendered, when the user drags a slider bar to simulate the amount of ice that has melted, the visualization is re-rendered without any delay.
Figure 4: Slider bar to simulate different percentages of sea ice
[Source: Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech.]
Markscheme
Award [1 max].
A visualisation is graphical software technique that creates an image / diagram / graph to communicate data;
Award [1 max].
2D map of a coastline;
standard flat map;
cross-section of the land;
Award [5 max].
Visualizations provides a quick way of seeing where the sea levels are now and where they will be if the glaciers melt;
People can understand a visual image more easily than raw data;
No need to interpret figures so time is saved;
A visual of land being claimed by the water has greater emotional impact that raw data;
Public / politicians are more likely to be influenced by a visualization than raw data;
Accept other reasonable reasons.
Award [6 max].
Wireframe model is created with polygons;
The 3D rendering process automatically converts a 3D wireframe model into 2D images on a computer;
2D images are combined to create a 3D image;
3D renders may, or may not, use photorealistic effects;
It is likely that scanline rendering would be used because it uses less processing / system resources than ray tracing;
it is unlikely that ray tracing would be used because of the time taken for rendering;
Examiners report
Syllabus sections
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17N.2.SL.TZ0.6d.i:
Define the term visualization.
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20N.2.SL.TZ0.6a.ii:
Identify how a 2D visualization could be used in this scenario.
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20N.2.SL.TZ0.6c:
Once the 3D visualization has been rendered, when the user drags a slider bar to simulate the amount of ice that has melted, the visualization is re-rendered without any delay.
Figure 4: Slider bar to simulate different percentages of sea ice
[Source: Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech.]
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17N.2.SL.TZ0.6d.ii:
With the help of examples, discuss how the development in the way such data is visualized has made the results of these simulations more accessible to the general public.
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18N.2.SL.TZ0.6c:
Define the term visualization.
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19N.2.SL.TZ0.6b:
Explain why a 2D visualization model would be used rather than a 3D visualization model in this scenario.
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19N.2.SL.TZ0.6c:
Explain why the development of a visualization model was necessary in this scenario.
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20N.2.SL.TZ0.6a.i:
Define the term visualization.
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19M.2.SL.TZ0.6c:
Explain two technical implications of implementing a 3D animation in this way.
- 19M.2.SL.TZ0.6a: Define the term visualization.
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18M.2.SL.TZ0.6b:
Vehicles are tested for their exhaust gas emissions using simulation software at specialist garages. During a period of 5 minutes, a vehicle with the engine switched on is monitored for emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and fine particulates. The software uses 3D visualization techniques to display these parameters on a screen for the whole duration of the test.
Explain how emissions of CO2 and fine particulates could be represented in 3D by the software.
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19M.2.SL.TZ0.6b:
Outline the need for rendering in the creation of the animated 3D characters.
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18N.2.SL.TZ0.6d:
The medical school is considering updating its simulation software, which currently displays the simulation in 2D, to one that displays it in 3D.
Discuss whether this change to a 3D display would improve the quality of the training.
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19N.2.SL.TZ0.6a:
Identify four items of data that would be included to create the 2D visualization model.
