Transcript Shock Value 2009 - North Carolina Science Olympiad

Adam Steiner
Mark Quakenbush
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Concepts of electricity and magnetism
Uses of electricity and magnetism
Circuit design, building, and analysis
Format:
◦ Qualitative and quantitative test questions
◦ Lab activities and questions
◦ Timed stations (state tournament, also possible but
unlikely at regionals)
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Non-programmable calculator
Writing utensil
One page of notes, front and back
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Ohm’s law
Forms of energy produced from electricity
Battery principles (types of batteries and how
they work)
Circuit schematics
How current moves in a circuit
‣ Parallel and series resistors: equivalent resistance
‣ Definitions of electrical terms: volt, ampere, ohm,
potential/voltage level
‣ Physically building a circuit that includes
elements included on sheet: batteries, resistors
(includes motors, bulbs, sound-producing
devices), wires (includes connectors like alligator
clips)
‣ Know how to use voltmeter (in parallel) and
ammeter (in series)
‣ Graphs of current, voltage vs. time
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Principles of electromagnets (magnetic force
increases with turns and current)
Principles of magnets (permanent magnets)
Know what magnetic fields look like inside
coils, outside wires, and from magnets
Earth’s magnetic field, its general shape, and
how it makes compasses work
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Work with different equipment as much as
possible
Learn the math (there isn’t much), and be able to
use equations at the pre-algebra level
Focus on applying concepts
Try to get an understand physically what voltage,
current, resistance physically are—if you can
think of it in terms of electrons, great, but there
are also models of pushing objects, pumping
water, etc.
Know general trends of the electricity and
magnetism concepts on the event sheet
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Knowledge of and experience with
measurement equipment
Understanding and interpretation of graphical
data
Ability to translate diagrams to physical
systems and vice versa
Circuit construction and analysis techniques
Making predictions and comparisons based
on conceptual knowledge
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Bring a watch
Don’t panic if the answer isn’t obvious or
straight from a formula on the notes page.
Work from what you know and what is given.
Make sure both students competing have
practiced both hands-on skills and theory.
Some degree of specialization may be helpful,
but make sure that they can integrate these
two areas to solve complex problems.
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Wikipedia
HowStuffWorks.com
http://www.scioly.org/wiki/Shock_Value
Magnetism and Electricity units from 8th grade
NC science textbooks
Glencoe Physical Science (high school level
textbook, chapters 21 and 22 cover E&M)
Practice event will be posted soon on
www.sciencenc.com
E-mail any questions (general or specific) to
[email protected] or
[email protected]