It's About Time

It's About Time is a physics/building event that started in 1990. It ran as an event until 1998 but was brought back as an actual event for the 2009 tournament (Division C).

Overview
This event tests student's knowledge on time through a test and their skill in building a time telling device. The test portion will cover the physics and history of time, with everything in between. The time telling device will need to determine the amount of time between 10 and 300 seconds (5 minutes), with the precision of 1/10th of a second. Teams are able to bring a binder and a non-programmable calculator to the test, though the calculator may only be used during the written portion of the test, not the time trials. Stop watches, scales, etc. are allowed to calibrate the device before the trials begin, but will not be allowed during the actual test.

Time Trials & Time Devices
Students will use their pre-built devices to determine the time intervals of five trials. Trial 1 will be from 10-30 seconds Trial 2 will be from 30-90 seconds Trial 3 will be from 90-180 seconds Trial 4 will be from 180-300 seconds Trial 5 will be from 10-300 seconds

Constrictions


 * The time-telling devices may not use electricity or utilize chemical reactions.
 * The device cannot exceed 80cm x 80cm x 80cm.
 * The device will need to be impounded.

Testing

There are sound files for every possible time trial located at the national site (see links below). However it should be noted that problems may arise when using the files on Microsoft Media Player, so it would be best when testing to use another program.

Devices

Your best bet would be to build a water or pendulum clock, however if building a water, sand, or clock that uses moving parts (such as marbles), make sure that all spillage is contains. Points can be deducted if water and sand is spilled on the table or floor, or if something drops. For pendulum clocks the most important factor is the length of the pendulum, not the weight at the end (though there should be sufficient mass at the end of the pendulum). Pendulum clocks will also need to be made to last the full five minutes without becoming too inefficient. Sand clocks are also an option, however there are too many variables to consider for it to be a viable clock. The sand may get clotted in the hole, moisture would also provide an obstacle.

Written Test
The written test will constitute 50% of the final grade, the other 50% being the results from the time trial portion. Students may bring with them one 3-ring binder of any size to help them with the test. However it is a good idea for teams to know as much of the information possible as time will be short and with only 20-30 minutes to take the test. Teammates will be strapped for time so knowing as much as possible without having to search through a binder, along with splitting the test up should allow the longer tests to be completed. Students should be prepared for math problems, history questions, along with anything and everything that has to do with time. Topics such as horology (the study of time keeping), space-time, atomic clocks, and even old phrases and proverbs that deal with time could be in the test.

Some Final Words
It's about time you started studying and building.

Links
New York Coaches Conference

Official Site

Rules Clarifications