Science Day - Physics Frolics

Mousetrap Car Competition

The purpose of this competition is to build a car whose only source of power is a standard mousetrap.  Typical mousetrap cars are built using a metallic wire extension of the trap with a string attached and then wrapped around the axle of the car.  The mouse trap car can be built of any materials, however make sure that the only source of power is the mouse trap itself.nbsp; In addition, the following rules apply:

• Again, the standard mousetrap is the only source of power (not those larger traps).  Fishing rods, rubber bands, and other materials that stretch or bend may not be used in combination with the mouse trap.  These are additional sources of stored energy (they’re essentially springs).
• The mousetrap may not be used as a catapult to project a car down the hallway.
• The cars will run in a hallway approximately 2.5 meters wide, thus straight travel is important.
• Winners will be judged according to the maximum distance traveled.
• Each car may be built by an individual or by teams consisting of 2 people or fewer, please.

Water Balloon Drop Competition

The purpose of this competition is to build a container to house and protect a water balloon from a drop out of a 3½ floor window.  Due to the number of containers that have survived the fall in previous years, a water balloon will be used (rather than an egg) because of its added weight and size, thus making it harder to protect.  Winners will be judged according to survival of balloon, uniqueness of design, uniqueness of materials, and survival of container (can the balloon be dropped again in the same container?).  In addition, the following rules apply:

• The balloon will be approximately 3 inches in diameter.  Balloon for the competition will be provided by PSU./p>
• Containers for the water balloon can be made of any material except foam products (Styrofoam, foam rubber, etc.), food products, and any gel or jelly (Vaseline and other “messy” materials).
• Each container must have a mass of less than 2 kg (a weight of 4.4 lbs.).
• The container must freely fall to the ground.  Devices such as wings, parachutes, etc. are not allowed.
• Each container may be built by an individual or by teams consisting of 2 people or fewer, please.

Physics Face-Off

This is a straight-forward competition in which four major brains (preferably in four different bodies, however this is optional) can work as a team to solve a set of physics questions and problems within a specified time limit.  Your equipment will include high-tech, state-of-the-art pencil and paper, which will be provided.  In addition, each participant may bring their own calculator.  One team will be allowed for each school represented (secondary teams for any given school will be considered on a “first-registered, first entered” basis, depending on how many schools are represented, but only the top scoring team from each institution will count toward the overall school competition).  As the participants will need to be with their respective teams throughout this event, participation in other events should be done either before this event starts or immediately afterwards.

Paper Tower Competition

The objective of this competition is to build a free-standing tower of maximum height using a single sheet of 8.5" by 11" photocopier paper and one 50 cm strip of cellophane tape.  No other materials may be used.  Participants will be required to construct their tower at PSU during the competition.  The paper and tape will be provided, as well as scissors and a meter stick to aid in construction.  It is recommended that students develop a tower design and practice building it prior to the competition.  The paper may be cut or folded into any shape, and the tape used to fasten any parts of the tower together.  The tower may not be attached to the floor, ceiling, or any other object.  A tower will be declared free-standing if it remains self-supporting for more than 10 seconds.  Height is determined by measuring the perpendicular distance from the highest point on the tower to the supporting surface.  Each tower may be built by an individual or by teams consisting of 2 people or fewer, please.  There will be 45 minutes allotted to complete the tower.