Technical Problem Solving C

[bernard]

If anyone is like me and is not sure about how the allowable probes for this event might be used in crime scene analysis, take a look at this link.

[olyweeah]

How in the world do you prepare for this event? I'm incredibly excited for it, but my partner and I have no idea how to start... Any ideas?

[Unome]

How in the world do you prepare for this event? I'm incredibly excited for it, but my partner and I have no idea how to start... Any ideas?

Speaking of that, I'm planning to take this event next year. Is there anything that I need to know (because my high school sucks with event help )

[blindmewithscience]

How in the world do you prepare for this event? I'm incredibly excited for it, but my partner and I have no idea how to start... Any ideas?

Take a look at each "topic" and memorize formulas and theory for each one.With the colorimeter, know Beer's law and measurements of concentrations. With the temperature probe, take a look at thermodynamics in physics (Q=mc deltaT, U=Q-W, etc.). And for the Force and Motion probes, I suggest kinematics, forces, energy, and momentum. Hopefully not forgetting anything right now.
Also, take a look at this (from the rules sheet). If you have an Nspire, definitely download the relevant ones and go through them.

[olyweeah]

How in the world do you prepare for this event? I'm incredibly excited for it, but my partner and I have no idea how to start... Any ideas?

Take a look at each "topic" and memorize formulas and theory for each one.With the colorimeter, know Beer's law and measurements of concentrations. With the temperature probe, take a look at thermodynamics in physics (Q=mc deltaT, U=Q-W, etc.). And for the Force and Motion probes, I suggest kinematics, forces, energy, and momentum. Hopefully not forgetting anything right now.
Also, take a look at this (from the rules sheet). If you have an Nspire, definitely download the relevant ones and go through them.

Thank you! I already downloaded all of the case files, but I need to *beg* my teacher to order at least some of the probes but they're uber expensive (just the EasyLink to connect the sensors costs $59...) and my district sucks. Quite honestly, we probably won't need to worry about the sensors until state, but then everyone will be studying for extra events (this is my districts 2nd year, and we only do like 15 events at regionals... And this year I'm moving on from B to C so it's like all new) so it's better to do it now. Do you (or anyone else really) have any ideas of what we can do until we get the necessary equipment?

[blindmewithscience]

Thank you! I already downloaded all of the case files, but I need to *beg* my teacher to order at least some of the probes but they're uber expensive (just the EasyLink to connect the sensors costs $59...) and my district sucks. Quite honestly, we probably won't need to worry about the sensors until state, but then everyone will be studying for extra events (this is my districts 2nd year, and we only do like 15 events at regionals... And this year I'm moving on from B to C so it's like all new) so it's better to do it now. Do you (or anyone else really) have any ideas of what we can do until we get the necessary equipment?

Yea, for a lot of the equipment, the cost of them is high enough that buying them isn't worth it, especially the colorimeter ($115 for something that would only be used in science olympiad...). It says in the rules sheet that any sensors used will be demonstrated by the supervisor. Does your school use the Vernier Labquest or Labquest Mini, or have any sensors at all? From my experience, using the interfaces of an N-spire and Vernier with sensors are nearly identical, and the Labquest could be good practice.

[olyweeah]

Thank you! I already downloaded all of the case files, but I need to *beg* my teacher to order at least some of the probes but they're uber expensive (just the EasyLink to connect the sensors costs $59...) and my district sucks. Quite honestly, we probably won't need to worry about the sensors until state, but then everyone will be studying for extra events (this is my districts 2nd year, and we only do like 15 events at regionals... And this year I'm moving on from B to C so it's like all new) so it's better to do it now. Do you (or anyone else really) have any ideas of what we can do until we get the necessary equipment?

Yea, for a lot of the equipment, the cost of them is high enough that buying them isn't worth it, especially the colorimeter ($115 for something that would only be used in science olympiad...). It says in the rules sheet that any sensors used will be demonstrated by the supervisor. Does your school use the Vernier Labquest or Labquest Mini, or have any sensors at all? From my experience, using the interfaces of an N-spire and Vernier with sensors are nearly identical, and the Labquest could be good practice.

I'm not sure... It's possible that one of the other science departments might have some, and my teacher said that she'd ask, but no sensors were found as of right now. I think we'll just have to find a way to raise $411...

[iwonder]

especially the colorimeter ($115 for something that would only be used in science olympiad...).

Some schools use the colorimeter for Beers law labs (concentration measurement by absorption of light)

But as to the sensors, I think most of the practicing I ever did for TPS didn't really use sensors as much as it was working on the concepts. In our case, anytime the sensors were used, instructions were given on how to use them, and that's really the only trick. Other than that a temperature probe is the same as a thermometer, the force probe is a scale, etc. That being said, it's hard to find a colorimeter to replace the probe, same with the motion detector, but I don't think SciOly would write the rules in such a way that you need to buy $400 worth of equipment just to be competitive at a regional contest.

[blindmewithscience]

Some schools use the colorimeter for Beers law labs (concentration measurement by absorption of light)

But as to the sensors, I think most of the practicing I ever did for TPS didn't really use sensors as much as it was working on the concepts. In our case, anytime the sensors were used, instructions were given on how to use them, and that's really the only trick. Other than that a temperature probe is the same as a thermometer, the force probe is a scale, etc. That being said, it's hard to find a colorimeter to replace the probe, same with the motion detector, but I don't think SciOly would write the rules in such a way that you need to buy $400 worth of equipment just to be competitive at a regional contest.

I'm not sure... It's possible that one of the other science departments might have some, and my teacher said that she'd ask, but no sensors were found as of right now. I think we'll just have to find a way to raise $411...

Unfortunately, my school isn't one that has a real use for it in physics or chemistry. Olyweeah, if you are unable to raise the funds, I'd also suggest taking a look at videos on youtube on how to use the probes, such as these ones for the colorimeter, motion, force. In a bit of a rush right now, can't find one for temperature, but there probably is one somewhere.

[alwaysmatts]

Hey guys so this is my first year doing TPS~

So I was wondering what will usually be the depth of the questions? Will we be able to solve them just by plug it into the formula, or it involves some deeper thoughts? Also, will the lab stations works like the ones in chem lab which one person will be able to complete the questions while the other person do the lab?