TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Physics Olympics provides learning with fun.  The activities involve the understanding and application of physics principles and the use of creativity.  Mere exercise of skills or physical prowess is de-emphasized.  

The Physics Olympics was first introduced at the national level during the 6th Philippine Physics Society Annual National Seminar/Workshop Convention    held at the University of Negros Occidental - Recoletos, Bacolod City on April 5 - 8, 1984.  Dr. Vicenta C. Maxino spoke then on “The Physics Olympics:  Dumaguete Experience.”  During the socials portion of the convention, olympics activities were conducted as parlor games.

The first National Physics Olympics occurred during the 10th Annual National Physics Seminar/Workshop Convention held at the Divine Word University at Tacloban City on April 6 - 9, 1988.  By this time, many chapters had initiated the Physics Olympics in their areas.  Among these chapters were those of Negros Oriental - Siquijor, Cebu, Butuan and Bukidnon.  Since 1988, the Physics Olympics have been conducted annually to provide fun and learning experiences for participants.  In many cases, teachers held Physics Olympics when they returned from the annual convention to their respective stations.     

The first Physics Olympics in the Philippines was held at SillimanUniversity, Dumaguete City during the School Year 1983 - 1984.  While conducting a seminar at Silliman University in January 1983, Dr. Jack  John Brennan of the    University of Central Florida (Orlando, Florida), who was then Visiting Professor at Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City, encouraged then SU Physics Chairman  Dr. Gerardo C. Maxino and faculty member Dr. Vicenta C. Maxino  to initiate the Physics Olympics.  He sent materials, among which was a manual of rules for the Physics Olympics.  The following school year (1983-1984), then SU Physics Chairman Dr. Vicenta C. Maxino organized the First Provincial Physics Olympics held at Silliman University in December 1983.    

This present manual adapts the Physics Olympics to the Philippine situation.  It presents the most liked activities, culled from  a greater number played over the years in the Visayas, Mindanao, and Luzon.  It is not a definitive manual.   It hopes to grow as teachers and students share their experiences from the field.         

The Physics Olympics should remain a venue for fun and learning.  As always, there should be no monetary rewards.  Trophies, pennants, ribbons, certificates, or even plain oral commendation are the ideal prizes in the Physics Olympics.  The understanding and application of physics principles should be emphasized.  The use of creativity should be encouraged.  Towards these ends, in the design and construction of devices for the games, it is a safe policy to allow what is not explicitly prohibited in the rules.  

From experience, it is best to assign 20 points, 15 points and 10 points to the First Placer, 2nd Placer and 3rd Placer for each activity.  The over - all winners are determined by adding the points.     

The conduct of the Physics Olympics should continue as fun and learning experience.  While competition remains an essential element, the unitive aspect must prevail.  After all, the Physics Olympics becomes meaningful only if it nurtures the growth of the physics community.   

GENERAL RULES

EGG DROP

OBJECT:   

       To provide a container that will protect a raw egg when dropped from an altitude to a hard surface like a concrete flooring.

TEAM:   

     Maximum of two (2) members.  At least one (1) team member must be assigned to drop the container.

APPARATUS:      

       1. The members of the team must construct (at home, etc.) the container prior to the contest.      

        2.  Each container must meet the following specifications:   

                     a.  Maximum mass - 30 g.        

                     b.  Body size - the container must fit inside a rectangular box    10 cm x 10 cm x 20 cm.           

                     c.  Parachute - 20 cm x 20 cm x 40 cm.       

         3.  A variety of materials may be used:  paper, cardboard, foam materials (like styrofoam), rubber bands, feathers, string, glue, etc.      

         4.  Fins and other aerodynamics paraphernalia may be added.  They should not exceed the 10 cm x 10 cm x 20 cm limit before the container is dropped.  Also, they must not exceed a 20 cm x 20 cm x 40 cm dimension while in flight.       

          5.  At no time during the fall may any part of the container have any material exceed the maximum dimensions as outlined above.  This allows for parachutes and other wind dragging elements, provided they remain within  20 cm x 20 cm x 40 cm  dimensions throughout the fall.      

           6.  All containers must be checked in during registration.  No further work will be permitted after the entry has been checked in.

COMPETITION:

        1. A medium size chicken egg will be supplied for each entry.Eggs will be furnished at the physics olympics site.Contestants must be able to secure their eggs in the containers within 10 minutes immediatelyprior to the drop.     

            2.The container will be dropped from successive heights until a breakage occurs.The minimum height a container must survive is one meter.

            3.Between drops, repairs may be made provided no additional material is added tothecontainer.

            4.The mass of the entry container will be determinedbefore the first drop.

SCORING:     

             5.  In determining the winners, the following formula will be  used:     

                   ^{Score = (100 x H) / M}1.6   

                     where H = greatest height in meters, attained without breaking.    

                      M = mass, in grams, of the empty container.  The exponent places a high premium on economy of design.  

                     The entry obtaining the highest score will get the 1st Place, and so on.     

              6.  In the event that the eggs still remain unbroken at the maximum height available in the area, the entries will be judged according to their masses.  The lightest will be declared winner and if a tie occurs, both will be declared winners.  (Example:  If there are two First Placers, they will each get 20 points, but the next in rank will get only the points for the Third Placer).

PAPER TOWER

             1.  Each team will be given one sheet of paper and one small roll of cellophane tape at the start of the contest.  Only one entry will be allowed for judging. Each team should have only one entry.    

             2.  The sheet of paper may be cut into pieces and reassembled as desired.  Parts may be  rolled, folded, or slit.       

             3.  Cellophane tape may be used to fasten the parts of the tower together.  It may not be used to attach the tower to the floor or any other object.      

             4.  No other glues or tapes may be used.  The paper may not be soaked, painted or chemically treated to add rigidity.         

             5.  A tower shall be declared free-standing if it remains self-supporting until measurements on all entries are finished.  Towers that fall down before this time shall be disqualified.        

              6.  Height is determined by measuring the perpendicular distance from the highest point of the tower to the floor.     

              7.  Each team must complete the construction of each tower within an hour.          

             8.  The three tallest towers will be declared First, Second and Third Place Winners, respectively. 

                                              BRIDGE BUILDING

OBJECTIVE:  To build a bamboo bridge that can support the heaviest load.

TEAM           :  Maximum of two (2) members

APPARATUS:  Construction and materials of the bridge are as follows:   

        1.  The bridge shall be constructed by the team before the contest.    

        2.  Bamboo sticks and sewing thread are the only materials to be used.       

        3.  Only cloth sewing thread will be used in tying or fastening the bamboo sticks of the bridge.    

        4.  The total mass of the bridge and  sewing thread shall not exceed 100 grams.        

         5.  The bridge shall allow a 10 cm cube to slide underneath perpendicular to the bridge’s length without touching the bridge.         

         6.  The bridge shall allow a 40 cm wide by 2 cm high board to slide underneath perpendicular to the bridge’s  length without touching the bridge.         

          7.  The bridge must be free-standing.       

          8.  The bridge shall provide a smooth and level surface across which a small car of the     “Matchbox” variety may roll given a single push of the hand.  The road surface (level surface) shall have a minimum length of 20 cm.           

          9.  The bridge shall contain no element wider than 5 mm x 5 mm bamboo stick.  Two or more single pieces, each separately qualifying, may be attached by the student without violating this requirement.          

          10.  The bridge design shall allow masses (“weights”) to be hung at the center of the bridge.  For this purpose, a rope should be used.  It should be placed over the level surface, at the center of the bridge, and should be formed into a closed loop such that a weight hanger can be hung at the lower portion of the loop.  Weights can then be placed on the weight hanger.           

          11.  Only one bridge may be entered per team.  All entries must be submitted during       registration.      

           12.  Any  bridge not meeting the above restrictions will be automatically disqualified.      

            13.  Once the bridge is checked in, no further work on it will be allowed or permitted.

TESTING:      

              1.  The bridge shall be placed upon the ends of two level table surfaces approximately 35 cm apart.       

              2.  A weight hanger shall be suspended from the lower portion of the loop of a roop placed over the level surface at the center of the bridge.  Standard weights should be slowly added until an audible cracking sound, or any sign indicating the failure of some structural member or joint of the bridge, is noted. 

              3.  The maximum load supported by the bridge before cracking divided by the mass of the bridge will determine the winners accordingly.

                                            LARGE  BARGE

OBJECT:  To construct a barge that can support the greatest load without sinking.

TEAM    :  Maximum of two (2) members. 

RULES   :     

         1.  Each team will be given a piece of aluminum foil not more than 30 cm in length.      

             2.  Each team will construct within 15 minutes a barge out of the given material without using tape, glue, staples or any other material.      

             3.  The barge must be loaded while floating on a basin of water. 

              4.  Only dry loads should be used.  If any water leaks into the barge during the loading process, the barge will be considered sinking.  Thus damp or wet cargo must be unloaded, the barge dried and reloaded.  Only two reloadings will be allowed.  

              5.  Each team will be allowed one repair of its construction after thorough drying.     

              6.  The barge that supports the heaviest dry load will be considered the winner and others judged accordingly.       

              7.  Loads will consist of standard weights.  The dry load just before the barge sinks will be the one recorded.  If the load gets wet, the test must be repeated.  Only 2 repetitions will be      allowed.  Consistently wet cargo will be a cause for disqualification.

PAPER AIRPLANE

OBJECT:  To construct an airplane of largest range and longest time of flight.

TEAM    :  Maximum of two (2) members per team. A.  The competition 

           1.       Two separate rounds will be run, one for distance and one for time of flight.  The same plane must be used for each round.  Each team will have only one airplane.      

            2.       Regarding the construction of the paper airplane, either Method A or Method B may be used:

            Method A:      

                   a.       Teams will design and construct their own airplanes prior to the Olympics.     

                    b.       No dimension (length, width, or height) of the aircraft should exceed 50 cm.        

                    c.       The mass of the braces, struts, weight added, glue, clips, etc.  shall not exceed twice the mass of the paper in the aircraft.  If there is a question of this upon initial inspection, the plane will be analyzed after the competition, but before finalization of places.

               Method B:      

                      a.       Each team will be given a piece of paper out of which the paper airplane is to be constructed.   

                       b.       Each team should finish construction of the plane within 30 minutes after the start of the contest.    

             3.       In each case, the following rules and requirements pertain:         

                       a.       Preferably, competition will take place in an open air field or gymnasium where wind velocity is negligible and insignificant and launches will be executed by the competitor horizontally from a standing position, and at shoulder level. 

                        b.       Stepping beyond the assigned marker will be a fault.    

                        c.       A second fault will disqualify the contestant.    

                        d.       Each team will be allowed two launches in each round with the best score for the set being retained for purposes of the competition.    

                        e.       Each team will compete in each part of the competition.     

                         f.         No practice flights will be allowed in the vicinity of the launching area during the duration of the contest. 

B.  Scoring       

                                              Distance Round       

     1.   The plane should be launched horizontally at shoulder level.           

      2.   Horizontal distance from the  point in the ground directly  below the launch point to the position of first impact with the ground will be measured.      

       3.   Impact with any object prior to hitting the ground will allow a repetition of a launch.          

        4. The greatest distance achieved will be awarded 20 points with all other scores scaled      proportionately to distance achieved to the nearest tenth of a point.                                          

                                       Time-of-Flight Round         

          1.  In this part of  the contest, the airplane may be launched at any angle.

           2.       Time from the flight of the airplane until first impact with the floor will be measured by two or three timers.         

            3.       Impact with any object prior to hitting the ground will allow a repetition of a launch.            

             4.   The average time of the timers to the nearest tenth of a second will be recorded.           

              5.   Greatest duration will be assigned 20 points with all other scores scaled proportionately to the nearest tenth of a point.            

      Total Score is composed of the two (2) scores thus obtained.  The highest scoring team will be awarded 20 points towards the total competition; the second, 15 points; the third, 10 points.

EGG  TRANSPORT

OBJECT:  To build a vehicle powered by a rubber band(s) or rubber strip(s), which can carry an egg to the greatest horizontal distance.          

TEAM    :    Maximum of two (2) members per team.

RULES   :      

         1.  The contestants are to design and construct their own “cart” or vehicle prior to the contest.  The cart or vehicle can be made of any inanimate material (commercial or scratch-built) like an empty spool.  This is to be checked in.  No further work will be allowed after checking in the device during registration.       

          2.  The rubber band(s) or strip(s) as a source of energy must be a part of the vehicle.  Catapults or other launching devices external to the vehicle (or initially connected or attached to an object/point external to the vehicle) are not allowed.

           3.  Up to 6 rubber bands or strips may be used.  A strip formed into a loop will be counted as two strips. The width of the band/strip should not exceed 5 mm.    

           4.  The maximum mass of the vehicle or device should not exceed 100 grams.              

                   5.  The egg may be rolled or carried by the vehicle.        

                     6.  The egg should remain unbroken or undamaged during the roll or transport.               

                         7.   A starting  line will be marked on the floor.      

            8.  The vehicle must move on a lane 50 cm wide.  If the vehicle strikes the boundary side or line in the course of the roll/transport, that point will be marked as the end of the roll.              

           9.  If the egg separates from the vehicle, the point at which the egg separates will be marked as the end of the roll/transport.     

             10.  Winners will be determined on the basis of horizontal distance moved (perpendicular to the starting line) during the roll/transport.          

            11. Each team will be allowed two trials, with the greater distance retained for purposes of  the competition.

OBJECT:  To construct an electromagnet that can support the largest load possible. 

TEAM    :  Maximum of two (2) members 

RULES   :        

       1.  The electromagnet should be constructed before the contest and submitted for weighing before the contest begins.      

        2.  The maximum mass of the electromagnet should not exceed 200 grams.           

        3.  The electromagnet should be constructed in such a way as to leave two ends free (about 10 cm)  for connection to a voltage source, preferably a DC power supply of 3-5 Volts.   The same power supply should be used for all entries.  If dry cells (two 1.5V dry cells connected in series) are used as the voltage source, the dry cells should be changed often so that the same voltage and current, as much as possible, will be used for all entries.   

        4.  The magnet will be dipped into a box of nails.  The nails it lifts will be weighed.       

        5.  The average of three trials will be taken.    

        6.  The winners will be determined from the average mass of the nails lifted.

OBJECT:   To build a robot that can perform pre-specified tasks.

TEAM:   Maximum of two (2) members.

RULES:      

       1.       The robot must be self-designed and constructed.  It should be built prior to the contest.         

       2.       Ready-made parts may be used.    

       3.       The robot should be self-  actuating after it is switched-on/initiated.   

       4.       Any physical means (i.e., electrical, electronic, mechanical, thermal, optical, acoustical, etc.) may be used in the operations/ functions/ etc. of the robot. 

       5.       Each team should use only one robot throughout the contest, although the tasks are varied. 

       6.       The robot may perform the complete task or portion of a task.  Points will be awarded on the basis of  what is accomplished by the robot.        

       7.       A team may choose not to participate in certain tasks.  (The robot should perform at least one task completely or partially.)     

       8.       For tasks performed, corresponding points will be given. For each participant, the total points should then be taken and used in determining the winners.

TASKS:          

       1.       Lifting nails (suelas) from a wooden box (10 cm wide, 10 cm long, and 15 cm deep) to a height of at least 10 cm.  One point will be awarded for every 2.0 g (or major fraction thereof) of nails lifted..       

       2.       Transferring nails (suelas), while the robot remains in one place, from a wooden box (10 cm wide, 10 cm long, and 15 cm deep) to another wooden box (20 cm wide, 20 cm long, and 15 cm deep) placed at a distance of 30 cm from the first.  The 30 cm distance is measured between the neighboring sides of the boxes. Three (3) points will be awarded for every 2.0 g (or major fraction thereof) of nails transferred.        

       3.       Transferring nails (suelas), while the robot travels from one place to another, from a wooden box (10 cm wide, 10 cm long, and 15 cm deep) to another wooden box (20 cm wide, 20 cm long, and 15 cm deep) placed at a distance of 100 cm from the first.  The 100 cm distance is measured between the neighboring sides of the boxes. Six (6) points will be awarded for every 2.0 g (or major fraction thereof) of nails transferred. On return trips, 12 points will be awarded for every 2.0 g or major fraction thereof.             

        4.       Transferring colored (painted) ball bearings (having diameters of 5 mm approximately), while the robot remains in one place, from a wooden box (10 cm wide, 10 cm long, and 15 cm deep) to another wooden box (20 cm wide, 20 cm long, and 15 cm deep) placed at a distance of 30 cm from the first.  The 30 cm distance is measured between the neighboring sides of the boxes. The ball bearings will be colored red, yellow, and blue.  The robot will transfer the yellow-colored ball bearings.  For every yellow-colored ball bearing transferred, 10 points will be awarded.  For every ball bearing of any other color that is transferred, 10 points will be deducted.          

        5.       Transferring colored (painted) ball bearings (having diameters of 5 mm approximately), while the robot travels from one place to another, from a wooden box (10 cm wide, 10 cm long, and 15 cm deep) to another wooden box (20 cm wide, 20 cm long, and 15 cm deep) placed at a distance of 100 cm from the first.  The 100 cm distance is measured between the neighboring sides of the boxes. The ball bearings will be colored red, yellow, and blue.  The robot will transfer the yellow-colored ball bearings.  For every yellow-colored ball bearing transferred, 20 points will be awarded.  For every ball bearing of any other color that is transferred, 20 points will be deducted.  For return trips, 40 points are awarded (deducted) for each correct (wrong) ball bearing transferred.            

        6.       Same as Task # 5 but two obstacles (each consisting of a vertical wooden panel measuring 20 cm by 20 cm, each mounted on a 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm base) are placed between the boxes (1/3 and 2/3 of the way, respectively).  For each correct (wrong) ball bearing transferred, 50 points are awarded (deducted).  Each time the robot hits an obstacle, 100 points are deducted.  On return trips, 100 points are awarded (deducted) per correct (wrong) ball bearing transferred.