It's About Time C

[rockhound]

Can someone give me all of the answers that are going to be on the test so that I do not have to do any work?

[Primate]

Can someone give me all of the answers that are going to be on the test so that I do not have to do any work?

Sure, no problem. This file has everything you need! It's pretty big, though, so it might take a while to download.

Seriously, though, to everyone who's asked for general help with this event: not knowing what to study is probably the most challenging part of this event. Having a test on time is ridiculous--it's a huge topic. You'll definitely see a little physics, especially kinematics. (They seem to have a nasty habit of assuming any equation with t in it is appropriate for the test.) You'll also get tested on the history of time, identifying who did what and when. Finally, you'll see a lot of stuff about current systems of time (sidereal, solar, GMT/UTC, etc) and how to convert between them. Your best bet is to check out these links, as was suggested before, and then do your own research on Google for topics you want to go more in-depth on. You can also look for sample tests or buy the 2010 test packet from the official Science Olympiad store.

[walkingstyx]

Ha ha ha.
Also, almost everyone misses this sentence in the rules. "They will also be asked to answer questions about issues such as the concept of time, time keeping, astronomy, physics, and mechanics." I would like to concur with everything Primate said, and add that at least at nationals, and probably at all well run competitions, there will be a few astronomy questions. Also, your friendly AP Physics formula sheet is probably going to come in handy.

[saturnian]

Seriously, though, to everyone who's asked for general help with this event: not knowing what to study is probably the most challenging part of this event. Having a test on time is ridiculous--it's a huge topic. You'll definitely see a little physics, especially kinematics. (They seem to have a nasty habit of assuming any equation with t in it is appropriate for the test.) You'll also get tested on the history of time, identifying who did what and when. Finally, you'll see a lot of stuff about current systems of time (sidereal, solar, GMT/UTC, etc) and how to convert between them.

Also, make sure you refresh your knowledge on chemistry, have a list of frequencies of various devices, list of all possible calendars from around the world of all times (you could see questions like: "When Sweden converted to Julian calendar?" or "How many days were in a month in Japan in 16th century?"), great distance formula, and many-many other topics that you may think have nothing to do with time. Basically, your best bet is to have tons of information that you think is related to time and then ton of information that you think is not related to time. Ask your partner to do the same independently. Chances are you will end up with a different set (at least that how it worked out for me last year) and then compile.

[genesys]

what are the most told questions in the Its about time event? please give me straight answer.

thanks:)

[saturnian]

what are the most told questions in the Its about time event? please give me straight answer. thanks:)

genesys, i don't think anyone can give you more info than we already did. The questions don't usually repeat (unless event supervisors reuse the test from last year), and, if you go through this thread, you will see the topics that most of us encountered on tests. From here on, you have to do some of your own legwork. This is as straight answer as it goes.

[genesys]

what information did you already give me???:?

[Primate]

what information did you already give me???:?

Take a look at my post and those following it--it details what you'll likely see. Unfortunately, each and every test is unique. The Science Olympiad organization doesn't provide standardized tests to event coordinators; instead, it's up to each invitational, regional, and state director to create their own. Thus, your best bet is to do as much research as possible on the topics mentioned above. I have a binder of almost 100 pages of information--it's just not something that we can explain to you over these forums. Sorry!

Good luck with your research.

[keul9993]

Does anyone know if it is really 80cm^3 for the size of the time device?

80cm^3 is like 4cm *4cm*4cm

isn't that really small?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAVd14V9uSU

the ones in this video is so much larger than that

[Primate]

Does anyone know if it is really 80cm^3 for the size of the time device?

80cm^3 is like 4cm *4cm*4cm

isn't that really small?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAVd14V9uSU

the ones in this video is so much larger than that

Haha, it's not that the volume of the device has to be 80cc or less. Rather, the entire device has to fit inside an 80cm cube, or a cube with dimensions 80cm x 80cm x 80cm. You'll probably find that a tad easier to work with.

[Chikuwa]

Hey! I'm new to this event, and I'm still a little confused on the test.

How do you recommend my partner and I to do the test- Should we split it in half and work on it separately? If so, how do we share the binder in an effective manner? (we had trouble on this during regionals.)

Also, how long are most people's binders? What method of organization did you find best?

If anyone has done this event more than once- do you often see random trivia based on time in tests? On our regional test, there was a question on the incubation period of H1N1, and we had no idea. If so, how do you suggest to prepare for these sorts of things?

Thanks! Any information at all would be great.

[texan92]

hey i was wondering what everybody was using for the rod of their pendulum. im using fishing line right now but i was thinking about changing over to a metal rod, in order to increase accuracy and stability. however, the problem i see is that the metal rod must be precisely cut in order to have a certain period (say 1 sec). with fishing line, it is easier to calibrate the device and adjust any changes to the period (due to traveling, etc) as needed.

any thoughts on using metal rods?

[walkingstyx]

If you use a metal rod and have a period that is not exactly one second, you can just count the number of oscillations and multiply it by the period. This is a little more time consuming, but you have a minute in between each time trial. If you think it would help with stability and accuracy, don't worry about having an exact period.

[Arabesque]

During competitions, are the time trials generally started using three beeps or one? At Mentor this year it was only one, but all of the other competitions we've been to have been three.

[Bogoradwee]

During competitions, are the time trials generally started using three beeps or one? At Mentor this year it was only one, but all of the other competitions we've been to have been three.

They have to use three. it's part of the rules, isn't it? to use the official SO time trials? they're all available on the official site....