Hovercraft B/C

[Ionizer]

How complex is the Hovercraft test in regards to calculus types of questions

Pretty sure there isn't any calc based physics.

Depends on who makes the test.

[Ashernoel]

How complex is the Hovercraft test in regards to calculus types of questions

Pretty sure there isn't any calc based physics.

Depends on who makes the test.

On most of the tests I've seen there has been some physics C. Moment of inertia isn't usually in standard physics 1.

[kenniky]

I was under the impression that calculus generally wasn't allowed on Scioly tests

[Ashernoel]

I was under the impression that calculus generally wasn't allowed on Scioly tests

It isn't, and it won't be at nationals and probably most state tests. I think there isn't a fine line between Physics 1 and Physics C, and because of that many test coordinators will probably bleed a little bit of Physics C onto the test. Only in one problem have I seen derivatives required this year, but it was an anomaly.

[Ashernoel]

@chalker and event supervisors, what type of scale will be used serious competitions for hovercraft? Will they be industrial scales that are extremely accurate, or kitchen like scales?

I'm concerned that a 1998 g hovercraft could be over the weight limit on some scales, and under on others..

[Zioly]

@chalker and event supervisors, what type of scale will be used serious competitions for hovercraft? Will they be industrial scales that are extremely accurate, or kitchen like scales?

I'm concerned that a 1998 g hovercraft could be over the weight limit on some scales, and under on others..

A gram or two shouldn't be much of a problem if your device is at least a TINY bit adjustable, right? That's probably your best bet, is to make it adjustable to an extent.

[chalker]

@chalker and event supervisors, what type of scale will be used serious competitions for hovercraft? Will they be industrial scales that are extremely accurate, or kitchen like scales?

I'm concerned that a 1998 g hovercraft could be over the weight limit on some scales, and under on others..

A gram or two shouldn't be much of a problem if your device is at least a TINY bit adjustable, right? That's probably your best bet, is to make it adjustable to an extent.

The advice I (and many other event supervisors) always give to questions like this is to not assume your measuring tool is calibrated the same way as mine or any event supervisors tool. Dealing with tolerances is a common issue in real life engineering, and we try to instill it to a bit in Science Olympiad. Making sure your device is well under the expected measuring tool tolerances, or adjustable to compensate for them is always good advice.

[Ashernoel]

@chalker and event supervisors, what type of scale will be used serious competitions for hovercraft? Will they be industrial scales that are extremely accurate, or kitchen like scales?

I'm concerned that a 1998 g hovercraft could be over the weight limit on some scales, and under on others..

A gram or two shouldn't be much of a problem if your device is at least a TINY bit adjustable, right? That's probably your best bet, is to make it adjustable to an extent.

The advice I (and many other event supervisors) always give to questions like this is to not assume your measuring tool is calibrated the same way as mine or any event supervisors tool. Dealing with tolerances is a common issue in real life engineering, and we try to instill it to a bit in Science Olympiad. Making sure your device is well under the expected measuring tool tolerances, or adjustable to compensate for them is always good advice.

That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the response!

[BDake]

Just to confirm some posts from a while back, there is nothing in the rules to prevent more than 1 9V battery being connected to the circuit in parallel, correct? Assuming the litmus test would be to measure the voltage at the fan, but as long as the voltage is 9V or less at any point in the circuit, you are good to go (per rule 4h) - thanks in advance for responses.

[Zioly]

Just to confirm some posts from a while back, there is nothing in the rules to prevent more than 1 9V battery being connected to the circuit in parallel, correct? Assuming the litmus test would be to measure the voltage at the fan, but as long as the voltage is 9V or less at any point in the circuit, you are good to go (per rule 4h) - thanks in advance for responses.

Yes.