Thermodynamics B/C

[chalker]

http://www.capitolscientific.com/Thermo ... Pack-of-25

These are 250 ml beakers, but are they allowed?

They might be. I expect that they would be looking for glass but if plastic is allowed definitely the better option as less chance of breaking yet higher insulation.
.

As always, this is not the place for official statements / clarifications...... That said, for those of you who have been around for a while might be able to dig up an old copy of the thermo rules from 5 years ago and notice that in those rules we specific the material the beaker is made out of... however we don't in the current rules. As I typically advise, general rule #1 applies in many situations like this.

[Ashernoel]

The rules use the language of "standard" with "~1.4x H:B ratio". This design of beaker is not the "standard," so I assume it would be easily disqualified. ://

edit: I can't find the specs of them, so when I get my hands on a model I'll update whether or not they have a ~1.4 H:B ratio. If they do, it would be much harder for a super to reject their usage.

Edit2: The risks with relying on a rare beaker design are still pretty big, so I'll try to submit a FAQ question when possible.

[wzhang5460]

I'm pretty sure you can use plastic, in the rules it says a 250 ml beaker glass or plastic.

Maybe just find one that is "standard" 250 ml and plastic?

[WhatScience?]

Ya I do feel plastic would be allowed cause the spirit of the event is to find a good design with good insulating materials. This is the entire event and this is simply out thinking your opponents which is what sci Olympiad builds are all about. Looking at towers for example, you want to use the best wood, the best glue, and the best design. This is a similar concept.

[retired1]

It looks like it might be OK size wise. It does have a bit more taper than the normal beaker.
Don't be led astray by the brand Thermo. This is just a plain plastic beaker . There are a number of places that you can buy just a few plastic beakers rather than 25. Some schools will have some in the chem dept.

[wzhang5460]

Does the beaker's diameter have to be exactly 1.4 times the height? I found some that are a little bit more than 1.4

[chalker]

As always, this is not the place for official statements / clarifications...... That said, for those of you who have been around for a while might be able to dig up an old copy of the thermo rules from 5 years ago and notice that in those rules we specific the material the beaker is made out of... however we don't in the current rules. As I typically advise, general rule #1 applies in many situations like this.

Oops.. my bad. I just realize we inserted the glass or plastic language back into the rules this year. Still, I'd encourage everyone to think of general rule #1.

[chalker]

Does the beaker's diameter have to be exactly 1.4 times the height? I found some that are a little bit more than 1.4

Looks carefully at the rules. ~ means approximately.

[Ashernoel]

According to Wikipedia, standard low form 1.4x beakers are defined as having straight sides except for philips beakers.

So because the rules only allow this standard beaker form, event supers can deduct for Phillips beakers and the super small beaker I posted earlier.

Straight sides.

[wzhang5460]

Does the beaker's diameter have to be exactly 1.4 times the height? I found some that are a little bit more than 1.4

Looks carefully at the rules. ~ means approximately.

Ok, Thanks