Scioly.org

viditpok wrote: ↑September 21st, 2019, 7:22 am Since the rules are very vague this year, it is kind of hard for me and my schools machines participants to determine what questions would be asked in these competitions? Can anyone provide questions or a test they have made that will help us understand this event better for this year?

I wrote a Machines B test for SSSS, that should be up somewhat soon.

viditpok wrote: ↑September 21st, 2019, 7:22 am Since the rules are very vague this year, it is kind of hard for me and my schools machines participants to determine what questions would be asked in these competitions? Can anyone provide questions or a test they have made that will help us understand this event better for this year?

Assuming you're in C division, looking through AP Physics: Mechanics questions that relate to energy, equilibrium, and/or friction might be helpful (although you won't need calculus for Science Olympiad). Also be familiar with the different kinds of simple machines and how they can combine (e.g. scissors use first-class levers and wedges). Look for examples of compound machines in daily life. And of course, be familiar with the meanings of all the terms used in the rules (mechanical advantage, efficiency, etc.).

I know that this has already been partially addressed, however, I was wondering if there were any textbooks that went over IMA and AMA of different machines and had problems for it. Although I have found Wikipedia articles and other random websites I am looking for a more rigorous form of learning. If there are no such textbooks, what is the next step after searching up all the simple and compound machines?

Well, I mean machines are pretty simple. Taking a look at gear trains as well as gear types will be helpful, as well as making sure you know a bit of history (they're not supposed to ask, but hey, they're going to).
If all else fails, attempt calculating the IMA of your scissors.

AstroGuyVlogs wrote: ↑September 22nd, 2019, 6:43 am I know that this has already been partially addressed, however, I was wondering if there were any textbooks that went over IMA and AMA of different machines and had problems for it. Although I have found Wikipedia articles and other random websites I am looking for a more rigorous form of learning. If there are no such textbooks, what is the next step after searching up all the simple and compound machines?

The next step is intensive practice. Check the old question marathons.

What are some good textbooks for this event?

lvk1157 wrote: ↑September 25th, 2019, 11:04 am What are some good textbooks for this event?

Have you asked this question already?

At any rate, if you're looking for more resources in addition to those addressed, you could skim the official AP Physics quantitative skills guide from the CollegeBoard. Not everything in the guide will be in this event though, and you won't learn must-know things like mechanical advantage in an AP Physics course. As everybody has said, Wikipedia and past tests will likely be more helpful than many physics guides or textbooks.

gz839918 wrote: ↑September 25th, 2019, 12:10 pm

lvk1157 wrote: ↑September 25th, 2019, 11:04 am What are some good textbooks for this event?

Have you asked this question already?

At any rate, if you're looking for more resources in addition to those addressed, you could skim the official AP Physics quantitative skills guide from the CollegeBoard. Not everything in the guide will be in this event though, and you won't learn must-know things like mechanical advantage in an AP Physics course. As everybody has said, Wikipedia and past tests will likely be more helpful than many physics guides or textbooks.

Agreed, but might as well just share that my school uses the Giancoli textbook for physics and the Halliday & Resnick for AP physics. It would probably not be financially wise to buy these if you don't already have access to them in one way or another since basically all of the information required can be found online.

I've started to make the graphs but the rules on data are kind of confusing.

"i. 2 points for including data spanning the possible mass ranges"

How would you collect data from the specific masses?

Has anyone ordered the Ward's Science machines kit that's linked on the soinc.org page? It's around $135, but I can't seem to find any information on the contents of the kit. The same kit is listed for both simple machines and compound machines, which makes it seem more likely that it might contain just like examples of each simple machine rather than materials to build a lever. Does anyone have any information on what's included in the kit?