Keep the Heat B/Thermodynamics C

[Jim_R]

Discussion for Keep the Heat B and Thermodynamics Lab C

Thermodynamics Lab Wiki
2009 Thread

[JSGandora]

Shouldn't this by in the Building Events forum?

[chalker7]

Shouldn't this by in the Building Events forum?

No, within the internal nomenclature of Science Olympiad, Keep the Heat and Thermodynamics are not considered Engineering/Building events as much as a lab event. Only (at most) half of the points will be coming from the insulating device.

[Infinity Flat]

Shouldn't this by in the Building Events forum?

No, within the internal nomenclature of Science Olympiad, Keep the Heat and Thermodynamics are not considered Engineering/Building events as much as a lab event. Only (at most) half of the points will be coming from the insulating device.

That AND the title of the event is "Thermodynamics LAB."

[starpug]

The Table of Contents for the rules calls it just Thermodynamics, but close enough

[QuantumLeaper]

I've never done this event before. What advice would you offer to a newbie?
(I also plan on reading the Wiki.)

[starpug]

No one's done this event before, except perhaps a few people from Minnesota. So we'll have to wait for the rules to come out to find out

[quizbowl]

So what materials are people looking into for insulation?

[chalker]

I've never done this event before. What advice would you offer to a newbie?
(I also plan on reading the Wiki.)

Read the rules first!

[chalker]

So what materials are people looking into for insulation?

FYI, I wouldn't jump the gun on this. We provided a pretty limited list of materials in the rules that are permitted.

[Frogger4907]

How will designs vary if the materials are limited?

[chalker7]

How will designs vary if the materials are limited?

The bigger question we thought about was "How would designs vary if the materials were unlimited?" Without restrictions, all of the rich teams would find a way to get their hands on aerogel while most other teams would just use fiberglass insulation or cut up foam coolers. With restrictions (which permit quite a large variety of materials), teams will be forced to experiment with different insulators.

[Frogger4907]

How will designs vary if the materials are limited?

The bigger question we thought about was "How would designs vary if the materials were unlimited?" Without restrictions, all of the rich teams would find a way to get their hands on aerogel while most other teams would just use fiberglass insulation or cut up foam coolers. With restrictions (which permit quite a large variety of materials), teams will be forced to experiment with different insulators.

Very logical point about the money and aerogel... But what about the internet? What testing and experimenting would be needed with all the facts about thermal insulation, of the limited various materials we will be able to use that are available, most people with Google would be able to figure out what useable materials are going to accomplish the task best with an hour on Google.

[chalker7]

How will designs vary if the materials are limited?

The bigger question we thought about was "How would designs vary if the materials were unlimited?" Without restrictions, all of the rich teams would find a way to get their hands on aerogel while most other teams would just use fiberglass insulation or cut up foam coolers. With restrictions (which permit quite a large variety of materials), teams will be forced to experiment with different insulators.

Very logical point about the money and aerogel... But what about the internet? What testing and experimenting would be needed with all the facts about thermal insulation, of the limited various materials we will be able to use that are available, most people with Google would be able to figure out what useable materials are going to accomplish the task best with an hour on Google.

That factor wouldn't change at all with unrestricted materials, teams would still be able to determine the best insulators with a normal google search. In fact, I would say it would be easier since they wouldn't have to search a large number of different options, they'd just do a general search for all insulators instead of specific comparisons.

Plus, I think you'll be surprised by the wide variety of different options available (it isn't just cardboard and tape),there will be a good variety of devices.

[Frogger4907]

How will there be variety if everyone will be able to determine the best insulator via google? everyone will just use that... I'm just saying that no matter how you set up the building of this event... The amount of heat that the device actually contain shouldn't be scored. maybe the teams ability to predict the amount of heat lost, but not the devices ability. It won't be fair no matter if you are limited or unlimited in your materials available.