Sand Timer Task

[paronomasia]

Hmm, so say I used the sand coming from the sand timer to spin a "water" wheel for my circular to linear task. The sand timer bonus would stop as soon as the wheel started spinning, right?

[ichaelm]

Hmm, so say I used the sand coming from the sand timer to spin a "water" wheel for my circular to linear task. The sand timer bonus would stop as soon as the wheel started spinning, right?

That would not be circular to linear. That would be linear to circular.

[questionguy]

So just to clarify, if there was a motor running from a previous task, my group would not receive points for the Sand Timer task because electricity was still being used?

[lonestar]

As long as the motor isn't contributing anything anymore once the timer starts, it should be fine. Things left running from previous tasks don't count as "further actions".

[Flavorflav]

So just to clarify, if there was a motor running from a previous task, my group would not receive points for the Sand Timer task because electricity was still being used?

I submitted that question a couple of months ago, and the answer was that you could leave motors running or have the device shut them off and the sand timer would still score. Of course, the answer is not up on the FAQ and your regional people are not likely to take your word for it, so you should contact them, too.

[jsorrell414]

Does anyone know a simple way to do this accurately without using electricity? It seems like there will be many factors outside our control, like friction, that will contribute to the sand timer's inaccuracy.

[NikitaB]

Do you think that fine materials other than sand are allowed? I have been looking at what actual sand timers use and it is not sand, more a mix of "powdered marble, tin/lead oxides, and pulverized, burnt eggshell" - from Wikipedia. This might be a lot more accurate than using sand.

Ideas?

[Primate]

Do you think that fine materials other than sand are allowed? I have been looking at what actual sand timers use and it is not sand, more a mix of "powdered marble, tin/lead oxides, and pulverized, burnt eggshell" - from Wikipedia. This might be a lot more accurate than using sand.

Ideas?

When I think sand timer, I think of anything that functions like an hourglass. I think you'd be okay with any sort of granular solid. (Sand is, by definition, finely ground rock and mineral.) The eggshells might be pushing it--submit a clarification to be sure--but I don't see why anyone would have an issue with powdered marble or tin oxides. Lead oxides are probably a bad idea no matter what.

Have you actually tried your timer with sand to see how accurate it is? My guess is it's not too bad.

[NikitaB]

I have managed to get my timer working to within 2 seconds (safely) on average. I use teaspoons to measure out my sand; after 36 trials with different amounts, I got a SD of 1.36 seconds. How accurate are other's timers?

[Primate]

I have managed to get my timer working to within 2 seconds (safely) on average. I use teaspoons to measure out my sand; after 36 trials with different amounts, I got a SD of 1.36 seconds. How accurate are other's timers?

You have a lot of patience. I'd imagine mine is right around there, but haven't gotten around to thoroughly testing it. I'm using the colored craft sand they sell at Michael's, and it seems to work great.