Mission Possible C

[olympiaddict]

Very good point, that would eliminate lasers from this event in my mind.

[themaker]

Just wondering, is salt dissolving in water a chemical or physical change? And what would the explanation be? I'm thinking about using the dissolving as a chemical change, but this whole thing is probably going to end up too controversial to risk it.

[olympiaddict]

I believe that's chemical- justification being that there are different substance(s) after the reaction than before, e.g. Salt changes into two ions, which seem to clearly be different substances (different structure, properties, etc).
If you're worried, I would bring sources that define dissolution as a chemical change (I've seen them) and show them to the supervisor if it's an issue.

[trivk96]

Just wondering, is salt dissolving in water a chemical or physical change? And what would the explanation be? I'm thinking about using the dissolving as a chemical change, but this whole thing is probably going to end up too controversial to risk it.

This is a chemcial change because there is a reaction taking place. The salt (NaCl) dissolves or dissociates... NaCl(s) -> Na+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

Ok so rule 4b says that a transfer, to earn points, must be a different transfer than previously scored ones. This means that if you have two tranfers, both say mechanical to electrical, only one counts, right?

[chalker]

Chalker, two questions about containers...

1. If we have a hole in the bottom of one of our containers, but the objects intended for that container stay within the walls of the container and would remain in that container, even if the container was moved outside of the device, are we ok? The containers would otherwise be identical - same size, shape, and plastic.

2. Is it ok to have things other than air, golf tees, marbles, or paper clips inside the containers? The only thing I can find in the rules about what shouldn't be in the containers is that there's a penalty for each golf tee, marble, and paper clip that is sorted into the wrong container.

Thanks!

I'd think General Rule #2 applies to this... but as always, this isn't the place for official clarifications or comments.

[olympiaddict]

What do you guys think about moving a barrier to let light through as M-EM?


Also, someone might want to edit the FAQ saying lasers are not allowed because they are not legal components
I think they're still not allowed as was said above, but for a different reason.

[MP Fan]

Chalker, two questions about containers...

1. If we have a hole in the bottom of one of our containers, but the objects intended for that container stay within the walls of the container and would remain in that container, even if the container was moved outside of the device, are we ok? The containers would otherwise be identical - same size, shape, and plastic.

2. Is it ok to have things other than air, golf tees, marbles, or paper clips inside the containers? The only thing I can find in the rules about what shouldn't be in the containers is that there's a penalty for each golf tee, marble, and paper clip that is sorted into the wrong container.

Thanks!

I'd think General Rule #2 applies to this... but as always, this isn't the place for official clarifications or comments.

Sorry to be dense, but what is General Rule #2?

[Flavorflav]

Sorry to be dense, but what is General Rule #2?

Paraphrasing: If something is not forbidden, then it is permitted.

[JTMess]

What do you guys think about moving a barrier to let light through as M-EM?


Also, someone might want to edit the FAQ saying lasers are not allowed because they are not legal components
I think they're still not allowed as was said above, but for a different reason.

I don't see why this wouldn't be allowed. It's no different than closing a switch to allow preexisting electrons to flow through a circuit.

[chalker]

What do you guys think about moving a barrier to let light through as M-EM?


Also, someone might want to edit the FAQ saying lasers are not allowed because they are not legal components
I think they're still not allowed as was said above, but for a different reason.

FYI, it's a clarification, not a FAQ (they are 2 different things). Regardless, the clarification explicitly says components are permitted as long as they comply with safety requirements. SO has a general laser safety policy, which generally limits the use of lasers overall. No need to explicitly call them out in the clarification then.