Optics B/C

[Hanelia]

Any calculator seems a bit generous, so just to be on the safe side, that includes graphing calculators, programable, etc?
I've programed a calculator I was able to borrow, and even make a cool little ap where you can set the size of the LSS, where the laser is, where the target is, and it tells you where the mirror should go and at what angle. This is allowed.... right? Just the more I prepair for this event, the easier it seems.

See, that is the benefits of having a graphing calculator
I decided not to buy it after I realized it cost about $100.
I'm fairly sure that's allowed, Since a calculator is allowed- what's wrong with a normal calculator that only has a program in it?

Most events don't allow those types of calculators.
Also, I was able to borrow mine from my Algebra teacher- can you do the same?

*Cough, cough*
My algebra teacher hates me T_T
He gave everyone in my class extra credit,
but when he clearly KNOWS i'm getting a B,
he was like "no extra credit for you."

[Galacticdude]

Can someone help me understand the difference between a real image and a virtual image? I have read a couple of definitions of them and the Physics behind them, but they aren't exactly clear.

[EpicFailure]

*Cough, cough*
My algebra teacher hates me T_T
He gave everyone in my class extra credit,
but when he clearly KNOWS i'm getting a B,
he was like "no extra credit for you."

Um...not to be mean, but please refrain from posting things unrelated to the topic. Programmable calculators aren't usually allowed in the competition. At least that was the case last year, with the exception of Trajectory. Also, TI-83 graphing calculators costs about $50 (used) online.

[Flavorflav]

Any calculator seems a bit generous, so just to be on the safe side, that includes graphing calculators, programable, etc?
I've programed a calculator I was able to borrow, and even make a cool little ap where you can set the size of the LSS, where the laser is, where the target is, and it tells you where the mirror should go and at what angle. This is allowed.... right? Just the more I prepair for this event, the easier it seems.

Which is exactly why they aren't usually allowed, but this year anything goes in this event. Unfortunately that means the Laser Shoot is unlikely to be much of a discriminator at the top end, so the medals will all come down to the test.

[brobo]

Any calculator seems a bit generous, so just to be on the safe side, that includes graphing calculators, programable, etc?
I've programed a calculator I was able to borrow, and even make a cool little ap where you can set the size of the LSS, where the laser is, where the target is, and it tells you where the mirror should go and at what angle. This is allowed.... right? Just the more I prepair for this event, the easier it seems.

Which is exactly why they aren't usually allowed, but this year anything goes in this event. Unfortunately that means the Laser Shoot is unlikely to be much of a discriminator at the top end, so the medals will all come down to the test.

Actually, I am of the opinion that it will be the other way around. I think that with the use of any type of calculator, people will be scoring near perfectly on the test, especially since this event is almost completely about the math and geometery of light. The LSS, however, will require a very stead hand, precice measuring and use of protractors, rulers, etc. and will be scored, while not "harshly", but in such a way such that there will be a noticable difference if only a few millimeters farther than the other teams. I personally think that the "tie-breaker" of this event will be the LSS, and the test will be very, very close.

I really hope that made sense.

[ichaelm]

Any calculator seems a bit generous, so just to be on the safe side, that includes graphing calculators, programable, etc?
I've programed a calculator I was able to borrow, and even make a cool little ap where you can set the size of the LSS, where the laser is, where the target is, and it tells you where the mirror should go and at what angle. This is allowed.... right? Just the more I prepair for this event, the easier it seems.

Which is exactly why they aren't usually allowed, but this year anything goes in this event. Unfortunately that means the Laser Shoot is unlikely to be much of a discriminator at the top end, so the medals will all come down to the test.

Actually, I am of the opinion that it will be the other way around. I think that with the use of any type of calculator, people will be scoring near perfectly on the test, especially since this event is almost completely about the math and geometery of light. The LSS, however, will require a very stead hand, precice measuring and use of protractors, rulers, etc. and will be scored, while not "harshly", but in such a way such that there will be a noticable difference if only a few millimeters farther than the other teams. I personally think that the "tie-breaker" of this event will be the LSS, and the test will be very, very close.

I really hope that made sense.

This all depends on the kind of test. Some tests will have more or less math than others.

[Flavorflav]

Check out the clarifications: http://soinc.org/official_rules_clarif
It takes a very steady hand ...

[bchero]

Hey everyone! Are there any university textbooks that cover optics in depth? Are there other, much more reliable, sources that can benefit me?

[brobo]

Hey everyone! Are there any university textbooks that cover optics in depth? Are there other, much more reliable, sources that can benefit me?

University textbooks may be a little bit in-depth, I just used wikipedia for most of my studying

[bchero]

So the textbook for a survey course in Optics is good enough?