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Frequently Asked Questions
Division C Events

Division C Events

Reveal Questions

Questions must be directed toward the rules. We cannot pre-judge your device by answering questions on whether it complies.

Earth & Space Science
- Astronomy
  - (Section: 2 / Paragraph: d / Line: 1)
    
    10/16/2018
    
    Can external devices that do not require an internet connection, such as wireless mice, be used during competition?
    
    Yes, wireless mice and keyboards are allowed.
  - (Section: 2 / Paragraph: d / Line: 1)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    Can external hard drives that do not use an internet connection (i.e. flash drives) be used during competition?
    
    Yes, External hard drives i.e. flash drives can be used during competition.
- Dynamic Planet - Div C
- Fossils - Div C
  - (Section: 3. / Paragraph: d. / Sub-Paragraph: viii. / Line: 1)
    
    10/03/2018
    
    Cannot find the Official S.O. Geologic Time Scale. Found a reference in old 2010-11 event that went to a dead GSA site link, so I assume you're using the latest GSA Time Scale (v. 5.0), but that is not the way it's described in the rules.
    
    The Official S. O. Geologic Time Scale was modified from the GSA Time Scale and is available on the Science Olympiad website. https://www.soinc.org/sites/default/files/uploaded_files/FossilsGeologicTimeScale.pdf The Geologic Time Scale was updated in 2018, but the Science Olympiad Official Time Scale will have 2019 in the title, to reflect use for the 2018-19 season.
  - (Section: 2 / Paragraph: A / Line: 2)
    
    10/26/2018
    
    Will binders be measured using the binding or the rings?
    
    Binders will be measured by the size of the rings. A 3" binder has rings that have a 3" diameter on the inside of the rings. The binding of a 3" binder will be larger.
- GeoLogic Mapping
Inquiry & Nature of Science
- Codebusters
  - (Section: 2 / Paragraph: a / Line: 1)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    Are different types ( i.e. pencils, highlighter, pens, etc.) of "writing utensils" acceptable?
    
    Yes. pencils, highlighters and pens are all valid writing instruments. However, any solutions written must be readily read by the person grading the test and an answer written only with a yellow or other color highlighter may be scored the same as a non-answered question.
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: e,f / Line: 7)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    Are xenocrypts only limited to Spanish? The wording makes it unclear.
    
    Yes. For this year, all Xenocrypts will be in Spanish.
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: f / Sub-Paragraph: vii / Line: 1)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    Does "Mathematical Cryptanalysis of the Affine Cipher" refer to merely decoding a cipher given the a and b values, or determining the a and b values from given ciphertext?
    
    Mathematical Cryptanalysis of the Affine Cipher means that the student has to decode the entire plain text of the cipher given two plain text characters to match the cipher text.
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: e / Sub-Paragraph: iii / Line: 5)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    For aristocrats with spelling/grammar errors, should the errors be included in the final answer?
    
    Yes. The final answer should exactly match the errors in the encoded text. Specifically if the aristocrat was LFOE JG KOI GNFQJH then the correct answer would be HEAR IS BAD SPELIN in order to count as zero mistakes.
  - (Section: 4 / Line: 1)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    For monoalphabetic ciphers, is an error defined as per incorrect letter or does one error encompass everything from that letter matching to an incorrect letter? If A is B and if the word AA is translated by mistake to CC is that 1 or 2 errors?..
    
    Errors are counted against the decode phrase and not the alphabet. If A is supposed to map to B, then AA mistakenly translated to CC would count as two errors.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: c / Line: 1)
    
    10/05/2018
    
    If students make errors while decoding the first question, but still receive full or partial credit per 4.b.ii., will this be counted as answering "correctly" for purposes of earning the timing bonus?
    
    There is no partial credit for the bonus. In order to be considered solved for rule 3.i.v the team must solve the timed question with 2 or fewer errors within the 10 minute timer. After the 10 minute time has passed, the timed question is scored like any other question under rule 4.b.ii such that a team may still receive points for solving it with 3 mistakes, but no bonus is awarded.
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: e / Sub-Paragraph: vii / Line: 1)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    Is xenocrypt necessarily monoalphabetic substitution?
    
    Yes. All Xenocrypts will be mono-alphabet substitution following the same substitution rules of Aristocrats.
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: d / Line: 1)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    Must competitors finish the first question before moving on in order to obtain points for the bonus, or may one or two students move on from the first question while others work on the first question in the first 10 minutes?
    
    Rule 3.d states that "participants are free to answer the questions in any order, working individually or in groups, attempting whichever of the questions seem right for them." Therefore, there is no requirement to complete question 1 before moving on to the other questions to be eligible for the timing bonus on the timed question.
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: e. / Sub-Paragraph: vi. / Line: 1)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    What type of baconian Cipher is being tested, the one in which V and J do not have a unique code or the one where all the letters have a unique code?
    
    The Baconian ciphers will use the 24 character alphabet in which I and J are both represented by ABAAA and U and V are both represented by BAABB.
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: f / Sub-Paragraph: iv / Line: 1)
    
    01/23/2019
    
    What will students be asked to do with respect to the RSA cipher?
    
    Students may have to identify formulas for encryption or decryption of data values given one or more computed RSA values, compute the private key given a factored n, compute d given the other 5 RSA computed values, or decode an encrypted value using a given private key. Examples of all of these can be found at https://toebes.com/codebusters/RSAEncrypt.html
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: f / Sub-Paragraph: v / Line: 1)
    
    01/23/2019
    
    When encrypting a hill cipher with a 2x2 or 3x3 encryption matrix, what should be done with letters left over that will not fill the encryption matrix? Different sources say to add different letters at the end, but it will change the final answer.
    
    For purposes of Science Olympiad, students should always pad an encryption matrix with the last letter in the alphabet (e.g Z for a 26 letter alphabet).
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: f / Sub-Paragraph: iii / Line: 1)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    Will the crib necessarily be provided in the exam?
    
    Not for all questions. "cribs" (also known as Hints) will only be supplied for cipher types under rules 3.e.iii.(1), 3.e.iii.(3), 3.e.iii.(5), 3.e.vi, 3.e.vii, 3.f.iii and 3.f.vi.
- Experimental Design - Div C
  - (Section: Rubric / Line: 1)
    
    10/26/2018
    
    Will participants be required to write a "Statement of problem" even though it is not included in the rubric?
    
    No. Students may write a Statement of Problem but the Hypothesis will contain information necessary to determine what is happening in the experiment.
- Fermi Questions
- Write It Do It - Div C
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: c / Line: 2)
    
    01/21/2019
    
    is the writer allowed to use phrases such as ‘shaped like a u’ or ‘shaped like a L’?
    
    Yes, the writer is allowed to use those phrases as long as the letter they are using does not take on any unique characteristics that would make it a diagram.
Life, Personal & Social Science
- Disease Detectives - Div C
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: c / Line: 1)
    
    10/16/2018
    
    Are the steps of an outbreak investigation based on the 13 steps as listed on the CDC site, or on the 10 steps provided in previous years' event description.
    
    The updated event outline uses the 13 steps that are listed on the CDC site and in the textbook listed in the resources. It is the most up-to-date format. The process is the same, but the division into 13 steps emphasizes the validation of the hypothesis.
  - (Section: 1 / Line: 1)
    
    10/03/2018
    
    What is the focus of Disease Detectives this year?
    
    Disease Detectives has been reorganized for 2019 and the topic rotation has been dropped. See the 2019 rules for the emphasis in each area. For an outbreak investigation, needed background will be provided.
- Anatomy and Physiology - Div C
- Designer Genes
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: b / Line: 15)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    What is the difference between the "molecular consequences of mutations" (Regional & State topic) and "mutations" (National topic)?
    
    Categories of mutations (nonsense, missense, etc) are included in the "basic principles of genetics" in relation to their molecular consequences. More specific questions about mutations themselves can be considered to be a National level topic.
- Herpetology - Div C
  - (Section: 2 / Paragraph: a / Line: 1)
    
    10/11/2018
    
    "One two-inch or smaller standard binder" should refer specifically to the rings in the binder being two inches or smaller, correct?
    
    Yes, the standard for measurements of a binder are based upon the inner size of the rings. For round ring binders, the size is determined by measuring the inside diameter of the ring(s). D-ring and slant-d ring binders are measured by the straight edge of the ring.
  - (Section: 1 / Line: 1)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    For Herpetology are the species’ information based on North America only? For example, in population is it for North America or the whole world?
    
    Questions relating to species' information will be limited to North American groups and organisms included in the official herpetology list. However there might be a one or two broad, generalized questions about major, exotic groups (populations, examples) elsewhere in the world.
- Water Quality - Div C
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: a / Line: 1)
    
    03/19/2019
    
    Can electronic components be used in the construction of the salinometer/hydrometer?
    
    Yes, with a caveat. The rules do not specify what components can be used to make the salinometer/hydrometer. However, because students must build the device, store-bought salinity or conductivity probes, current-measurement devices, and similar store-bought components would be in violation of that part of the rules. Teams may only bring in one complete device of reasonable size. As the rules state "Extremely large devices may not always be able to be accommodated during testing, The volume of salt water available for testing will be between 400 and 600mls."
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: a / Line: 1)
    
    03/19/2019
    
    Can we build a salinometer/hydrometer with multiple separate parts?
    
    Yes, so long as the parts are connected, forming a single device. As the rules specify that only one salinometer/hydrometer is allowed, any measurement system with two (or more) free-standing components would be considered to be two (or more) salinometers/hydrometers.
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: a / Line: 1)
    
    03/19/2019
    
    What unit do we need to measure the salinity in?
    
    Percent solution can be defined many ways. We are using the biological definition of mass/volume.
Physical Science & Chemistry
- Chemistry
  - Chem Lab
    - (Section: 2 / Line: 3)
      
      01/21/2019
      
      The list of equipment for the chemistry events is listed as "recommended". Are the check marks recommended for each event or are teams limited in each event to those items with a checkmark?
      
      Teams may have in their kits all the items that are listed as Recommended Lab Equipment for Div. C Chemistry events for any Div. C Chemistry event even if there is not a check mark in the column for that event. Please see https://www.soinc.org/sites/default/files/uploaded_files/RecommendedLabEquip_DivC_121718.pdf The statement at the top of the list for Recommended Lab Equipment for Division C Chemistry Events says: Each team may bring any or all of the items listed below for use in Division C Chemistry Events. Teams not bringing these items will be at a disadvantage as Event Supervisors will not provide Recommended Lab Equipment. A penalty of up to 10% may be given if a team brings prohibited lab equipment to the event.
  - Forensics
    - (Section: 2 / Paragraph: b / Line: 1)
      
      01/21/2019
      
      Pertaining to each participant may bring one sheet of paper, does each participant have to have identical cheat sheets to that of their partner, or can they each have their own cheat sheet based upon how they divide up the parts between themselves...
      
      Each participants allowed resource sheet does not have to be the same.
    - (Section: 2 / Line: 3)
      
      01/21/2019
      
      The list of equipment for the chemistry events is listed as "recommended". Are the check marks recommended for each event or are teams limited in each event to those items with a checkmark?
      
      Teams may have in their kits all the items that are listed as Recommended Lab Equipment for Div. C Chemistry events for any Div. C Chemistry event even if there is not a check mark in the column for that event. Please see https://www.soinc.org/sites/default/files/uploaded_files/RecommendedLabEquip_DivC_121718.pdf The statement at the top of the list for Recommended Lab Equipment for Division C Chemistry Events says: Each team may bring any or all of the items listed below for use in Division C Chemistry Events. Teams not bringing these items will be at a disadvantage as Event Supervisors will not provide Recommended Lab Equipment. A penalty of up to 10% may be given if a team brings prohibited lab equipment to the event.
    - (Section: 2 / Paragraph: b / Line: 1)
      
      10/15/2018
      
      When the rules say each participant may bring a sheet of paper does that mean that each partner in a team can bring a sheet, or that each team can bring one sheet only?
      
      Yes, each person may bring 1 sheet of paper per the rules. Therefore, a team of 2 students can have a total of 2 sheets of paper.
  - Protein Modeling
- Physics
  - Circuit Lab - Div C
    - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: b / Line: 1)
      
      11/15/2018
      
      Are the breadboards mentioned limited to solderless breadboards, or will they involve soldiering?
      
      Only solderless breadboards will be used.
    - (Section: 2 / Paragraph: D / Line: 1)
      
      11/15/2018
      
      Define the word "Basic" What is considered a Basic MultimeterWhat is not considered a Basic Multimeter?Could it be digital? Auto ranging? What part is discretionary
      
      Basic multimeter refers to those devices that are hand-held, battery powered, analog or digital, manual or auto ranging, measuring volts, amperes and ohms. Multimeters with advanced features, such as graphing, time waveform displaying, fft/frequency-domain functions, non-contact voltage sensing, current clamp probes are not considered basic. Whether to allow participants to use their own multimeters is at the discretion of the event supervisor. For example one regional supervisor may allow it, while another regional supervisor may not and require all participants to use multimeters they provide.
    - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: c / Sub-Paragraph: xiii / Line: 1)
      
      01/23/2019
      
      Don't questions concerning the "electrical characteristics of a silicon PN junction" count as questions involving semiconductors, which is a topic "not included in the competition" according to 3. d.?
      
      PN Junctions, Operational Amplifiers, and diodes are allowed for Division C and LEDs are allowed in limited capacity for Division B, no other semiconductors devices are allowed other than stated by rules.
  - Sounds of Music
    - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: a / Line: 4)
      
      10/15/2018
      
      Does a 3-D printed mouthpiece violate the rule since they are not purchased but manufactured?
      
      No, that does not violate the rules. 3D printed parts are legal.
    - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: b / Line: 2)
      
      03/19/2019
      
      The rules say that "all notes of the scale must lie between F2 and F5." Is this inclusive or exclusive, i.e. would having F2 or F5 as one of the notes be allowed, and if it is, would a slightly sharp F5 or a slightly flat F2 be disqualified?
      
      Yes, that is inclusive of F2 and F5. Any note outside of this range is not acceptable, whether sharp or flat. If the device ends up slightly outside that range, the appropriate cents off of the target note will be recorded.
    - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: a / Line: 4)
      
      10/15/2018
      
      Will horse hair, like for violin bow replacements or on the bows, be allowed as a type of string?
      
      Yes, per Rule 3.a., strings of any type of permitted.
    - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: a / Line: 3)
      
      03/19/2019
      
      Will manufactured bows be permitted to play string instruments or do they need to be produced by the students?
      
      No, commercial parts are not allowed except strings. They need to be produced by the students.
  - Thermodynamics - Div C
Technology & Engineering
- Boomilever - Div C
  - (Section: 5. / Paragraph: b. / Sub-Paragraph: ii. / Line: 1)
    
    01/21/2019
    
    Boomilever.5.b.ii. states:"ii. ¼” threaded eyebolt, no longer than 3”, and a ¼” wing nut"Does the 3" include the eye or just the rod/threads that extend from the eye? Is there a minimum length of the threaded eyebolt?
    
    The 3" threaded eyebolt refers to the labeled length at purchase. There is not a minimum length of the threaded eyebolt.
  - (Section: 4. / Paragraph: b / Line: 1)
    
    01/21/2019
    
    Does the 6 minutes include "placement verification time"?
    
    No, the 6 minutes should not include time taken by the Event Supervisor to verify the placement. Although any corrections that need to be made will count as part of a team's 6 minute.
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: a / Sub-Paragraph: I / Line: 1)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    If Wood is turned into wood string, would that still qualify for build materials?
    
    No, string made from wood can not be used.
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: e / Line: 2)
    
    01/21/2019
    
    The parameter states "no portion" may touch below the line which is "more than" 15cm below the hook. Does this imply that supervisors can choose any distance greater than 15cm to draw the contact depth line?
    
    Boomilever B & C 3.e. The Contact Depth Line for a Boomilever is set at Div. B - 20 cm and Div. C - 15 cm. This is a set distance and will not vary between tournaments. All tournaments will have the same contact depth distance.
- Mission Possible
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: i / Line: 1)
    
    10/15/2018
    
    Are products marketed as "resistance programmable" allowed so long as they do not use software?
    
    No, anything labeled programmable would not be allowed per rule 3.i.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: 1 / Sub-Paragraph: 1 / Line: 1)
    
    01/24/2019
    
    Can an inverter be used to increase incoming voltage from 9 VDC to a higher voltage?
    
    No, please see Rule 3.h.line 3 Nowhere in the device can more than 9 volts go across any two points.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: b / Sub-Paragraph: xii / Line: 1)
    
    02/28/2019
    
    Can the "magnet" which is removed and the "magnetic object" which falls be the same object?
    
    No, the fact that we list magnet and magnetic object as two different things shows that these cannot be the same object.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: c / Line: 4)
    
    10/15/2018
    
    Can the battery be under the influence of a magnetic field if it is not directly touching the magnet?
    
    No, per Rule 4c the battery must be free standing. If it is under the influence of a magnetic field, it is not free standing.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: b / Sub-Paragraph: ix / Line: 2)
    
    02/28/2019
    
    Can the object moving 2cm be on the rotating screw?
    
    Per rule 4.b.ix it refers to the object separately from the screw. This means the moving object must be seperate from the screw, not part of the screw
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: a / Line: 2)
    
    10/26/2018
    
    Can the ping pong ball indirectly cause the golf ball to move, or does it have to be moved with direct contact between the balls?
    
    Yes, the rules do not say the ping pong ball has to come in direct contact with the golf ball, just cause the golf ball to move and start the next action.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: h / Line: 1)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    Do competitors need to ask permission before touching their device if they believe it has stopped, jammed, or failed?
    
    No, they do not need to ask. However, if the team reaches into a device that is still running, the judges may penalize the team for taking advantage of time. If they are figuring the time and basing the touch on that, it could lead to a disqualification.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: b / Sub-Paragraph: iii / Line: 1)
    
    10/05/2018
    
    Do the heartburn tablets have to be whole or can they be crushed/broken into pieces?
    
    They must be in tablet form per the rules, not be broken or crushed.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: j / Line: 1)
    
    10/26/2018
    
    Do the scorable actions in the device have to be in order as in the packet (b.i. , b.ii. , b.iii. , b.iv. , etc.) or can they be in any order as long as you list on the ASL what it is?
    
    No, the scorable actions may be in any order within the device and listed on the ASL in the order they are within the device.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: b / Sub-Paragraph: x / Line: 1)
    
    02/28/2019
    
    Does the ENTIRE quarter have to pass out of the top boundary of the device, or could only a portion of the quarter pass out of the top boundary of the device and still score the task?
    
    The entire quarter must pass out of the top boundary of the device. The quarter is either out of the device or in the device. If it is partially in the device then it is not out of the device and does not qualify for task completion.
  - (Section: 5 / Paragraph: h / Line: 1)
    
    10/15/2018
    
    Does the completed extension of the Final Action deduct from the dimension score or is it excluded from the measurement of the devices dimensions?
    
    The extension of the completed Final Action is not part of the measured device dimensions.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: b / Sub-Paragraph: vi / Line: 1)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    Does the inclined plane have to be a flat surface or can it be a curved surface/half-pipe (such as a PVC tube) or a set of parallel rails?
    
    It should be a plane. The plane could be curved, however, it is up to the student to prove that the IMA >= 2. Rails do not make an inclined plane.
  - (Section: 3.c / Line: 2)
    
    10/05/2018
    
    For scorable electric actions, is a secondary action for the sole purpose of turning off a running motor considered an illegal parallel task under 3.c?
    
    No. A secondary "action" for the sole purpose of turning off the electrical circuit in a previous scorable action is allowed. It can not be connected in any way to any other actions.
  - (Section: 6 / Paragraph: c / Line: 1)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    If during operation, part of a device exceeds its initial dimensions, should the measured dimensions be expanded (and therefore subject to 6.b.i. if >60.0cm) to include this extension, or be penalized under 6.c. for exceeding its initial dimension?
    
    If a part of the device moves out of the original dimensions, it should be included in the measurement of the device. If an object leaves the device or detaches from the device, the 50 point penalty will be assessed. It is suggested that the team notify the judges about this expansion before running the device so this can be measured.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: f / Line: 1)
    
    02/28/2019
    
    In addition to timing, does scoring also stop at 180.0 seconds?
    
    Yes, timing and scoring end at the same time when the platform & battery stop moving or when 180.0 seconds elapses, whichever comes first.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: b / Sub-Paragraph: i / Line: 1)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    In reference to unguided balloons, may a string be used to empty the contents of a balloon into a bottle so long as the string does not guide or pull the balloon towards a specific direction?
    
    This may be possible. It depends upon the decision of the judges who see it operate. It must not be guided and no other rules may be broken. As an example, the string's movement must not directly cause the balloon to move towards the direction it needs to go to cause the next action.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: b / Sub-Paragraph: iv / Line: 1)
    
    10/05/2018
    
    Is an unmodified golf ball which is designed to float in water allowed?
    
    No, the golf ball must be a standard, unmodified golf ball. Floater golf balls are not considered standard. Please see the posted Clarification regarding 4.b.iv.
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: g / Line: 1)
    
    10/03/2018
    
    Is the use of electricity allowed in non-scorable actions?
    
    No, electricity is not allowed in non-scorable actions.
  - (Section: 3 / Line: 1)
    
    01/23/2019
    
    To power a solenoid, can I use one 9 volt battery connected to 2 capacitors and diodes so that approximately 12 volts are delivered from the capacitors to the solenoid?
    
    No, please see Rule 3.h.line 3 Nowhere in the device can more than 9 volts go across any two points.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: b / Sub-Paragraph: iv / Line: 1)
    
    10/05/2018
    
    What constitutes a golfball for Scorable Action 4.b.iv.?
    
    Please see the posted Clarification for Scorable Action 4.b.iv. The golf ball must be a standard, unmodified golf ball.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: b / Sub-Paragraph: x / Line: 1)
    
    02/28/2019
    
    What constitutes as being unmodified? Does attaching objects that can be removed (ie. tying a string, adding clay, etc.) mean that the object is being altered?
    
    Yes, attaching any objects to something that is required to be "unmodified" would be considered a modification; even if they can be removed.
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: i / Line: 1)
    
    10/03/2018
    
    What defines "Programmable Component?" Would a Thermostat Temperature Controller be considered "programmable"?
    
    There may be some thermostats that are non-programmable, but many are. The team could be at risk using a digital one. One that moves physically to complete the next action could be allowed if the judges see that it is not programmable.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: b / Sub-Paragraph: i / Line: 1)
    
    10/16/2018
    
    What defines a balloon, for example, do they have to be commercial or can they be homemade as long as they follow a certain definition such as "a nonporous bag that can be inflated with air" ?
    
    The balloon should be considered a balloon to most people who see it. For example, a paper bag is not a balloon although it might be filled with air. To be sure it is accepted, a team should use one that is marketed as a balloon.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: b / Sub-Paragraph: iv / Line: 1)
    
    10/11/2018
    
    What defines water? Can the water that is being added to the container have any additives in it such as salt?
    
    Water must be without additives.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: b / Sub-Paragraph: x / Line: 1)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    What do you mean by launch? Does it have to go airborne above the top boundary?
    
    Yes, the quarter must be launched into the air so that it goes above the top boundary of the Device before it lands back into the Device.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: c / Line: 1)
    
    02/28/2019
    
    What is defined as perfectly square? Specifically, to what level of accuracy should the sides of the square be measured to ensure they are equal (1 cm, 0.1 cm, 0.01 cm, etc)?
    
    .1 cm is the level of measurement using a ruler or tape measure.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: b / Sub-Paragraph: i / Line: 1)
    
    10/15/2018
    
    What qualifies as 'guided' for the balloon?
    
    Any part or piece of the machine placed strategically to direct the balloon toward the part of the machine it is designed to strike. There must be enough room between the balloon and the other parts of the machine to allow the balloon to move randomly. Examples might include but are not all inclusive - A wall, tube, object, material, wires, string, weights, etc.
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: J / Line: 1)
    
    10/26/2018
    
    Would a lead object permanently encased in a safe material be considered hazardous?
    
    Yes, a lead object permanently encased would be considered hazardous and not be allowed.
  - (Section: 4 / Paragraph: b / Sub-Paragraph: i / Line: 1)
    
    10/05/2018
    
    Would placing weights into a balloon count as gravitational guidance?
    
    Yes, placing weights in a balloon would count as gravitational guidance and would not be allowed.
- Mousetrap Vehicle
  - (Section: 5 / Paragraph: c / Line: 1)
    
    10/15/2018
    
    Are wax-treated and non-wax-treated cups both considered legal regarding section 5.c.1?
    
    Yes, the rule does not specify which type, so the ES could use either.
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: 1 / Line: 2)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    As "No part of the jaw/hammer may extend more than 1.0 cm beyond the base," does the jaw/hammer include an arm-extension from the original hammer of the mousetrap(s)?
    
    No. Any added items are not considered part of the unmodified mousetrap, and therefore may extend more than 1.0 cm beyond the mousetrap's base. Per 3.a., however, added items may not increase the potential energy of the unmodified mousetrap.
  - (Section: 5 / Paragraph: c / Line: 1)
    
    10/26/2018
    
    Does 3-oz. refer to the volume or the mass of the cup?
    
    A 3 oz. paper cup refers to the volume of the cup as labelled on the package.
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: a / Line: 2)
    
    10/15/2018
    
    Does the statement, No part of the jaw/hammer may extend more than 1.0 cm beyond the base, refer to the base of the mousetrap or the base of the vehicle as a whole?
    
    The base of the mousetrap (in its lowest energy state (tripped)).
  - (Section: 3. / Paragraph: f. / Line: 1)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    Does this mean when the wheels/treads are placed on the floor, the bottoms of the wheels must fit in a 40.0 x 40.0 cm space? Or is this measuring the vertical center of the wheels, outer edge to outer edge?
    
    Paragraph 3.f. states that the 'wheels/treads in their entirety' must fit in the box. That means from the outermost portion of the rear wheel/tread to the foremost portion of the front wheel/tread must fit in the 40 cm x 40 cm box.
  - (Section: 7 / Paragraph: d / Line: 1)
    
    11/15/2018
    
    Is a team allowed to modify the paper cup during their 8-minutes?
    
    No. A team is not allowed to modify the paper cup during their 8-minutes.
- Wright Stuff
  - (Section: 3 / Paragraph: d / Line: 4)
    
    10/11/2018
    
    In the downloaded rules there are no dimensions presented for the horizontal stabilizer. Does this mean it can be any dimensions as long as it is smaller than the largest surface?
    
    Yes, the stabilizer doesn't have a size restriction as long as it is smaller than the single largest surface. There are fewer size restrictions this year and are listed correctly in the rules.

‹ Please give an example of the added rule: The beginning and the end of each Gap must be at least 0.5 cm above the next surface(s) below them.
Earth & Space Science ›

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