Optics B/C

[Schrodingerscat]

Since time is no longer a factor, what are the opinions on whether or not the advantages of a template are reduced? Does anyone feel it's more effective to use protractors, etc, and check extremely carefully than to trust a template?

Time as no longer a scoring factor does remove that advantage of a template, but it also does still leave time to double check the setup or think through an unexpected, problematic barrier configuration. I also personally trust my templates more than measuring tools because I designed them with as high of precision as I could using software.

[foreverphysics]

Would there be a way to make something that was as accurate as a template but more flexible, so that it could encompass almost all possible setups? If so, that could help a lot...
Oh look, I just gave myself some new homework.

[Schrodingerscat]

Would there be a way to make something that was as accurate as a template but more flexible, so that it could encompass almost all possible setups? If so, that could help a lot...
Oh look, I just gave myself some new homework.

You can always have elaborate systems of markings and other things contained on the template to make it more flexible, although you will likely still need a set of them for different situations.

[Infinity Flat]

Would there be a way to make something that was as accurate as a template but more flexible, so that it could encompass almost all possible setups? If so, that could help a lot...
Oh look, I just gave myself some new homework.

You can always have elaborate systems of markings and other things contained on the template to make it more flexible, although you will likely still need a set of them for different situations.

Additionally, there's nothing preventing you from creating more than one template for different scenarios!
Last year, I had 3 templates made. One for when the block was in the "middle," one for when the block was very close to the laser, and one for when the block was very close to the target.

[hexagonaria]

Has there ever been anything about polarization on the test?

[foreverphysics]

Has there ever been anything about polarization on the test?

Not that I've seen, but it would probably be a good idea to study it anyways. Study everything you can find on the field of Optics (which is quite a lot). It's never bad to overprepare on an event like this--they test on many things only vaguely hinted at in the rules.
Also, this is my 100th post. Irrelevant, but still.

[Infinity Flat]

Has there ever been anything about polarization on the test?

C Division, yes.
B Division, no.

[foreverphysics]

Has there ever been anything about polarization on the test?

C Division, yes.
B Division, no.

Would that mean that we shouldn't study it? Cause I am kinda planning on teaching it to the other kids in Optics...

[zyzzyva980]

First go through everything on the rules, because there's quite a list on there. After that, if your team has the rules down (and if polarization isn't already in the rules, I forget if it is or not), you might as well, just to be safe.

[Infinity Flat]

Has there ever been anything about polarization on the test?

C Division, yes.
B Division, no.

Would that mean that we shouldn't study it? Cause I am kinda planning on teaching it to the other kids in Optics...

Don't spend much time on it at all, as it won't be on the test.
This page should have more than enough information on polarization, though, if you insist on studying it.