Official Rules Clarifications

[Luo]

Official rules clarifications are now open for submission on soinc.org. If you have a question about the rules of a specific event, go to http://soinc.org/frequently_asked_questions, use the dropdown menus to find the event, and use the form to submit your question.

I will update this thread as new clarifications or FAQs are posted on soinc.org.

[Luo]

Astronomy (section: 2 / paragraph: a / sub-paragraph: none / line: 1) 11/04/2012 - 20:59
Question: The first sentence of this paragraph mentions the allowance of a lap-top computer. Is a tablet-device acceptable as well?
Answer: Yes-tablets are permitted.

Circuit Lab (section: 2 / paragraph: a / line: 2) 11/04/2012 - 21:25
Question: While the rules do not specifically prohibit this, are calculator programs that are able to solve (simplify, etc.) circuits allowed?
Answer: Yes, the rules explicitly allow any calculator, which also includes any program running on any calculator.

Elastic Launched Glider (section: 3 / paragraph: f / line: 1) 11/04/2012 - 21:30
Question: May the elastic material in the launch handle be metallic?
Answer: Yes, the elastic material used with a launch handle may be metallic as long as the supervisors officiating the event feel the application is safe for use.

See http://soinc.org/frequently_asked_questions for FAQs in original context.

[Luo]

MagLev (section: 4 / paragraph: e / line: 1) 11/11/2012 - 20:59
Question: Is it legal to have a strip of magnets running along each side wall of the track and car?
Answer: Yes, general rule #2 applies. However note rule 4.c. requires the height of the side rails to be measured from the top of the magnets, which would apply to magnets on the side wall.

MagLev (section: 5 / paragraph: a / sub-paragraph: i / line: 1) 11/11/2012 - 21:04
Question: May a student who builds his or her own track determine which end of the track the vehicle will start from, or is that choice up to the event supervisor?
Answer: No, supervisors will determine the location of the start and finish lines, per rule 5.a.i. Rule 3.k. also requires vehicles to be able to be modified to move in either direction down the track.

Elastic Launched Glider (section: 1 / line: 3) 11/11/2012 - 20:37
Question: Must the glider be launched from floor level?
Answer: Students, not the glider, must be at floor level (standing, sitting, etc.) when the glider is launched.

Elastic Launched Glider (section: 1 / line: 3) 11/11/2012 - 20:40
Question: At what point is the end of the launch?
Answer: Launch is to release, catapult, or send off; therefore according to para. 1 and reference to the starting time in 4.k.2, the end of the launch is when the glider leaves the competitors hand.

See http://soinc.org/frequently_asked_questions for FAQs in original context.

[Luo]

Robot Arm (11/12/12)
7.a. says “… scoreable items (pencils, nails, pipes, batteries)….” batteries should have been changed to ping pong balls.

Elastic Launched Glider (11/12/12)
4.f. should read "A self-check inspection station may be made available to competitors for checking their glider and launch handle configuration for safety prior to being checked by the officials."

See http://soinc.org/official_rules_clarif for clarifications in original context.

[Luo]

Sorry for the bombardment of posts, but there have been quite a few clarifications posted recently.

Elastic Launched Glider (section: 3 / paragraph: f / line: 1) 11/12/2012 - 21:08
Question: Can the launch handle be like a cross-bow?
Answer: Yes, the launch handle can be any configuration desired, as long as energy to launch comes from elastic stored energy and the launch handle is safe.

Elastic Launched Glider (section: 3 / paragraph: f / line: 1) 11/12/2012 - 21:10
Question: Does the launch handle have to be hand held?
Answer: No, but the launch handle must be of a safe configuration. If there is any perceived safety hazard, the event supervisor may prohibit its use or the students' participation in the event.

Elastic Launched Glider (section: 4 / paragraph: a / sub-paragraph: 2 / line: 4) 11/12/2012 - 21:00
Question: Is their [sic] any restriction on the elastic material used for the launch loop?
Answer: The elastic material used to launch the glider must be a) elastic and b) of a safe configuration.

Elastic Launched Glider (section: 4 / paragraph: c / sub-paragraph: 2 / line: 4) 11/12/2012 - 21:06
Question: Does the elastic launch loop have to be a complete loop?
Answer: No, the elastic does not necessarily have to be a complete loop but it must have a loop.

See http://soinc.org/frequently_asked_questions for FAQs in original context.

[juicemanman]

Are these rules clarifications only for Division C events?

[Skink]

Are these rules clarifications only for Division C events?

C events are more complicated with more parameters, so it should follow that they have more Clarifications. I'd expect some coming in from Nationals regarding Egg Drop, and I hope to see one come through that I submitted at some point.

[Luo]

Are these rules clarifications only for Division C events?

Please see http://soinc.org/frequently_asked_questions. The clarifications listed above were posted only under the Division C drop-down tab, not the Division B one.

[knittingfrenzy18]

uh thought I might add. felt important, at least to me, being on the event. Delete if you feel the need to.

Food Science (11/16/12) Standard Curve Graph: Delete iv. Virgin Olive Oil, v. Great Egg Spectations, vii. Carnation Evaporated Sweetened Milk, and ix. Brer Rabbit Light Molasses from the list of liquids and Change x. to read “Meadow Gold or Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk”.

[JohnWilkerPhD]

Robot Arm (11/12/12)
7.a. says “… scoreable items (pencils, nails, pipes, batteries)….” batteries should have been changed to ping pong balls.

Glad to see the rules were proof read... After they were published.