WEDGE question

[mommyjo2]

The rules say the wedge must separate two touching objects. Does cutting something in half count? i.e., chopping a board in half or dividing a piece of putty or cutting a string.

[watermydoing14]

The rules say the wedge must separate two touching objects. Does cutting something in half count? i.e., chopping a board in half or dividing a piece of putty or cutting a string.

I don't see why it wouldn't. By cutting something in half, you're essentially making it into two separate objects.

[Uncle Fester]

Are you sure about that? You're not separating two touching objects, you're modifying one object into two.

I don't question that a saw or knife is a wedge; the issue is about the way the rule is written. So many times, a rule or new definition gets added because someone has a different vision of what's expected to happen than you -- but they managed to get the attention of the event writers.

Always ask yourself, "Am I doing what the rules actually SAY?" It should be simple and obvious -- once you start having to argue about it, you're skating on thin ice, and results aren't guaranteed.

Strongly suggest asking at a higher level, if you still feel strongly about it.

[watermydoing14]

I think I misinterpreted the question. If you are looking to cut something in half within the machine (so that the machine is autonomously cutting something in half), then I wouldn't be sure that would count as a wedge. I'd suggest submitting an FAQ on soinc.org

[HeatherFeather]

Another wedge question -

Does pulling a paperclip out of a hole with a string count as a wedge? It's separating two solid objects - I guess the string would be the wedge, and the paperclip and the hole in a solid would be the two solid objects?

[as_ap]

Yeah, I think you have to split two touching things. An example is the wedge can split dominoes. Better to be safe than sorry. But, yes, you should submit a FAQ to Soinc to clarify. That's best.

[goodcheer]

The rules say the wedge must separate two touching objects. Does cutting something in half count? i.e., chopping a board in half or dividing a piece of putty or cutting a string.

Another wedge question - Does pulling a paperclip out of a hole with a string count as a wedge? It's separating two solid objects - I guess the string would be the wedge, and the paperclip and the hole in a solid would be the two solid objects?

Try to make the wedge step as obvious as possible. For example, have a wedge resting above two pieces of wood. Then have a mass fall on top of the wedge, driving the wedge down between the two pieces of wood, separating them. The moving wood can trigger the next step.

[biz11]

If I have a piece of paper which is stopping sand from falling, and that piece of paper is pulled away, does that count as a wedge?

[SPP SciO]

Are you sure about that? You're not separating two touching objects, you're modifying one object into two.

I don't question that a saw or knife is a wedge; the issue is about the way the rule is written. So many times, a rule or new definition gets added because someone has a different vision of what's expected to happen than you -- but they managed to get the attention of the event writers.

Always ask yourself, "Am I doing what the rules actually SAY?" It should be simple and obvious -- once you start having to argue about it, you're skating on thin ice, and results aren't guaranteed.

Strongly suggest asking at a higher level, if you still feel strongly about it.

If the racquetball closes a pair of scissors, which cuts a string, which drops a mass, which pulls a car up a ramp via pulleys ...

Does that get documented as Lever -> Pulley (+ points, as long as the scissor business is documented), or would that be documented as Lever -> Wedge (no points, but the scissor IS a wedge), and Wedge -> Pulley (+ points)? Or would that vary from supervisor to supervisor?

[DankMcIntosh]

At states, my partner had to get mediation because of a wedge question. (Luckily, she won ) What was decided was that the rules are as simple as they get - as long ad they SEPARATE two touching objects, it counts. My suggestion is take the rules literally.