Scioly.org

CVMSAvalacheStudent wrote:Is it possible for the barrier mirror to be placed on the sides?

The barrier mirror can be placed on any of the barriers.

I don't think it'll be placed on the thin side of the actual barrier though... that would be unnecessarily annoying. Rules state that the mirror is "attached to one side" of the barrier. I assume they mean the faces of the barrier (otherwise, what's stopping them from putting the mirror on the top side?)

If a thin lens question says, "an object is located at x = +31cm...its image is located at x = -12cm," does that mean image is located at -12cm relative to the object (and therefore di = +12cm)? or does that mean di = -12cm?

y_utsumi wrote:If a thin lens question says, "an object is located at x = +31cm...its image is located at x = -12cm," does that mean image is located at -12cm relative to the object (and therefore di = +12cm)? or does that mean di = -12cm?

I would assume that x=0cm is the lens itself, which would make di = -12cm

How do teams create the templates for the laser shoot? What materials do you use? How do you go about creating the template and then actually using it in the competition? I appreciate any advice!

Along with the question posted above, I was wondering if there were any online simulations that anyone has used in order to practice the laser shoot, or if anyone is interested in creating one?

awesome90220 wrote:Along with the question posted above, I was wondering if there were any online simulations that anyone has used in order to practice the laser shoot, or if anyone is interested in creating one?

I've found that it's much more useful to practice in real life with this stuff. Online simulations fail to capture the real life intricacies of using the LSS; they usually don't account for things like the thickness of the wood of the barriers or mirror coverings (which are extremely important; see MIT), and you need a certain amount of skill/strategy to move the mirrors around carefully, which a program can't replicate

If you're looking for a good way to practice, I'd highly recommend simply building your own LSS and just experimenting around with it

Why is Optics a lab event and not a study event? Is it because of the laser shoot setup?

awesome90220 wrote:Along with the question posted above, I was wondering if there were any online simulations that anyone has used in order to practice the laser shoot, or if anyone is interested in creating one?

Practicing online is cheap, but you can buy a kit online for more than $50a t Ward's Science.

CVMSAvalacheStudent wrote:Why is Optics a lab event and not a study event? Is it because of the laser shoot setup?

Yes, I think most events that are split engineering/lab/etc and test are considered "lab" events (see chem lab, compound machines, it's about time, etc)

To be honest the difference is rather arbitrary; however I think this is how scioly.org categorizes:

Build Events: no test, builds are meant to be completed before the competition and tested at the competition
Study Events: only a test. Rarely includes hands-on portions, although definitely possible
Lab Events: everything else, basically. Either are a combination of study and build (as is the case of many physics events, see: IAT, Compound, Wind, Hovercraft, MagLev, etc), or involves some sort of hands-on portion that either is the entirety of the event (ExpDes, Game On, Picture This) or is a part of the event along with the test (Optics, chemistry events)

Either way, doesn't matter too much. As long as you know where everything is you should be alright.

On a different note, what have you guys found is the hardest thing to find stuff for? I still don't entirely understand what we're supposed to do with absorption spectra :b