Physics Events

Melissa BookerPhysics TeacherRobinson SecondaryMCBooker@fcps.edu

Event Format

Part I—Test on Geometric and Physical Optics

Part II—Laser ShootBasics—Kids need to figure out where to

place to mirror so that a laser beam will travel around a barrier to a target

Event Parameters

Competitors may bring tape measurers, rulers, protractors, and use any type of calculator for use during the competition

All reference materials to be used during the competition must be secured in a 3-ring binder; materials must be 3-hole punched so that nothing can fall out.

Laser Shoot Parameters

561 cm x 10.0 0.5cm x 35 1cm Barrier along the center line, 2-4cm in

width Two mirrors Target along back

Event Format

Part I—Test on Wind Power and the physics of wind power

Part II—Student pre-built blade assembly is tested on CD motor apparatus; maximum current generated (in mA) recorded

Event Parameters

20” box multispeed fan Support stand Clamp LOAD RESISTOR of 5.0-7.5 applied to

everyone’s device (same applied by event supervisor to everyone)

Spring-load type CD clip found on PORTABLE BATTERY POWERED CD PLAYERS

Blade Assembly Parameters Must be mounted to

a CD so that it can fit on the CD motor assembly

Blades must be between 25.0-28.0cm long

CD may be cut, but inside ring that attaches to motor must remain intact

Earth and Space Science Events 2011

General Format

Typically in test format although this year it specifies that it may include one or more stations

Likewise, may be shown objects to identify through powerpoint

Event Parameters

Laptop OR 3-ring binder (any size)Materials in binder MUST be hole-punched

and inserted into the rings (notebook sleeves allowed)

Programmable Calculator allowed Internet access is NOT allowed

Topics for 2011 Quasars Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) Galaxy Clusters & Groups of Galaxies Star Formation SUPERMASSIVE Blackholes Galactic Structure Globular Clusters Type Ia & Type II Supernovae Eclipsing Binaries X-ray Binaries

Epsilon Aurigae (Eclipsing Binary/Argol Variable)

NGC 6240 (Two galaxies colliding, each with a supermassive blackhole at center)

3C321 (System of two galaxies rotating around each other) “Death Star Galaxy” supermassive blackhole

Cen(taurus) A (lenticular galaxy)Radio galaxyactive galactic nucleus

Stephan’s Quintet (5 visually linked galaxies, 4 form galaxy group)

MACSJ0717 (Galaxy cluster) Bullet Cluster (two colliding galaxies, evidence

for dark matter) Perseus A (Seyfert galaxy)

Some Deep Space Objects

Possible Tasks Analysis multiple wavelength images of the DSO’s

(should have each DSO in multiple wavelength images)

Analysis of light curves (Cepheids, RR Lyrae, Type Ia Superova) with distance calculations (Period-Luminosity, distance modulus)

Analysis of spectra—Doppler shift and Doppler broadening

Orbital Motion of Binaries Cosmological Distances (Parallax, Distance

Modulus, Cepheids, Type Ia Superova, Red shift and Hubble’s law)

General Format

Test format, although may include stations

Event Parameter

Allowed four (4), double-side 8.5”x11” pages of notes

Allowed up to two (2) non-graphing calculators.

Topics Earth’s Fresh Waters

Interpret USGS topo mapsStream drainage systemsChannel typesSedimentRiver valley forms and processesPerennial & intermittent stream flowGroundwaterKarst featuresLake formation and types, lake featuresWetlandsDams and leveesHydrologic cyclePollution

Tasks Analysis of features on topo map

Watershed boundaries, elevation, gradient, direction of flow, drainage pattern, valley shapes, erosional landscapes, depositional features

Water table contour mapIndicate direction of groundwater movement

Analysis of data on thermal structure of a lakeDetermine how stratification changes

seasonally

Event Format

Stations—Emphasis on Fossil IdentificationGiven a set amount of time to move

between stations; cannot return to a station

Answer questions about classification, habitat, ecologic relationship, behaviors, dating and correlating rocks

Event Parameters

Allowed one (1) magnifying glass Allowed one (1) published field guide Allowed one 3-ring binder (any size)

Materials must be 3-hole punched and inserted into the rings

Topics Conditions required for fossilization Modes of preservation Relative dating Absolute dating

Radiometric, half-life, carbon dating Geologic time scale Index Fossils Fossils bearing sedimentary rocks Modes of life Environments Mineral and organic compounds of skeletons Taxonomic hierarchy Features of major fossil groups Major paleontological events

Know and tab the list!

Students should tab in their guide each fossil on the 2011 fossil list

Students should know index fossils and the geologic period during which it thrived

Buy a fossil kit and have kids practice!

Event Format

Tests or stations

Event Parameters Allowed up to five (5) two-sided 8.5” x

11” sheets of paper containing information from any source

Allowed metric ruler, protractor, triangle Allowed any kind of non-graphing

calculator

Topic: Human Impact on the Environment

Causes, consequences & evidence for human impact on the environment

Analyze and interpret remote sensing images Math computations to analyze or express quantitative data Understand concepts and terms related to the sustainability of

the terrestrial, oceanic, and atmospheric environments on earth Development and resource extraction Radiative balance of atmosphere Natural and man-made sources of greenhouse gases Changes in land, atmospheric, and oceanic temperatures Carbon, nitrogen, and hydrologic cycles

Understand principles of satellite imagery Interpret digital data presented numerical on a grid

Resources Science Olympiad Store—Remote Sensing

CD NASA

http://rst.gsfc.nasa.gov/ (Tutorial on Remote Sensing)

http://eospso.gsfc.nasa.gov/eos_homepage/for_educators/educational_dvd.php (Dynamic Earth--NASA Our Ever-Changing Planet)

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/index.html (NASA Looks at Earth)

UCARhttp://www2.ucar.edu/news/backgrounders/

understanding-climate-change-global-warming