Thermodynamics

See the National Event Manual

Description:

Teams must construct an insulating device prior to the tournament that is designed to
retain heat and complete a written test on thermodynamic concepts. There is also a written test portion for this event.

Materials:

Each team may bring one three-ring binder of any size containing information in any form and from any source attached using the available rings. Participants may remove pages during the event. b. Each team may also bring tools, supplies, writing utensils, and two stand-alone calculators of any type for use during any part of the event. These items need not be impounded. Each team must impound: their insulating device; an unaltered, glass or plastic, standard (height ~1.4 times the diameter) 250 mL beaker; a device diagram and copies of graphs and/or tables for scoring. Event supervisors will supply the hot water, devices for transferring measured volumes of water, cotton balls, and thermometers or probes (recommended). Prior to competition, teams must calibrate devices by preparing graphs/tables showing the relationship between water temperature and testing parameters. A labeled device picture/diagram should be included.
i. Any number of graphs and/or data tables may be submitted but the team must indicate up to four to be used for the Chart Score, otherwise, the first four provided are scored.

ii. Graphs and/or tables may be computer generated or drawn by hand on graph paper. Each data series counts as a separate graph. A template is available at www.soinc.org.

iii. Teams are encouraged to have a duplicate set to use, as those submitted may not be returned. Participants must wear eye protection during Part I. Teams without proper eye protection must be immediately informed and given a chance to obtain eye protection if time allows.

Participants must be able to answer questions regarding the design,  construction, and operation of the device per the Building Policy found on www.soinc.org.

Scoring:

High score wins. Points are awarded based on 5 variables outlined in the rules.

Common Mistakes:

Make sure that your box is the right size and that the hole for the thermometer and the height of the beaker match the construction specs – measure it often!

Recommendations:

None

Event Resources:

2018 Thermodynamics Coaches Clinic Presentation (2019 Rules)

2018 Thermodynamics Regional Test
2018 Thermodynamics State Test
2017 Coaches Clinic Presentation
Here is the link to the thermometers we will be using for competition
Carnot Cycle
Sadi Carnot “The father of thermodynamics”
Heat Engines and the First Law
The First Law
Isothermal and Adiabatic Processes
Tweets by ncso_Thermo

Media:

None

Here’s a walk through on how this event will run.

Here’s an idea for building an insulating device.