NEWSLETTER – July 18th 2012 www.ipho2012.ee/newsletter
Issue nO.4
Ready, set, go!
Theoretical examination
T
he first examination day started rather early in the morning, when buses, at 7.30 AM, started heading towards the Estonian University of Life Sciences in Tartu. First, the students had to pass the security check, which provided certainty that everybody was “playing fair“ and no cheat sheets were hidden. During the inspection participants had some time to give their impressions and expectations about the upcoming day. Most of the teams were nervous, but at the same time excited to see what the academic committee had put together for them. The People´s Republic of China students were asked how they were dealing with the pressure that comes from everyone who are expecting big scores from them. “It is indeed nerve-racking,“ they said. “But we don´t let the comments get to us, because we will try our best in any case just like everyone else here.“
Photo: Siim Pille
As far as the problems were concerned, nobody was fooling themselves by thinking that the tasks would be “a piece of cake“. Liechtenstein´s team said: “We´re sure that the tasks will be rather difficult and we aren´t deluding ourselves by thinking that they might be easy.“ One of the Netherland´s guys laughed, saying: “The problems will start off pretty standard, simple even, and as we move on they will become harder and harder – probably too hard in the end!“ The bell, which declared the beginning, made such a screeching sound, that it would have been hard not to notice it. As it started to ring the students quickly opened their envelopes. At that point every second counted for them. The first one to finish was a member of the Kuwait delegation. It took only 2,5 hours to put down on paper everything she knew about the problems and their solutions. “I´m not actually sure if it was a good idea to fi nish that early,“ she laughed and added, “I
did everything I could and there was no point for me to sit there for another two hours.“ Describing the problems she said that a lot of mathematics was combined with physics, but the calculations weren´t difficult. “Quite another matter is if I solved them correctly!“ The team from Ireland found the problems rather complex, as did many others. “The tasks were very difficult, but they´re supposed to be. Nevertheless, I found this year´s exam more challenging than previous ones,“ said Horatio, who is looking forward to the experimental part. “Well, it can´t get any worse, I can say that,“ he laughed and added, “the experiment question will probably be easier, more fun - although I´m not such a practical person, I do believe it´s going to be lots of fun.“ Text: Kristiina Stõkova Read more online: www.ipho2012.ee/newsletter
Look how great snapshot I got!
Photo: Merily Salura
Little rest on a bench in front of an old Estonian cottage
Photo: Henry Teigar
Photo: Merily Salura
D
uring the trip to Saaremaa the sun soon came out and the happy trippers started taking pictures. IPhO press asked the Switzerland leaders and a Denmark observer how they felt about the trip. They admitted being really tired due to hard work last night, but being in Estonia they took the opportunity to enjoy the visit to Estonia’s biggest island. Also a nap on the bus helped to restore their energy. The trip ended with excitement – the students had finished the tests.
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Photo: Henry Teigar
Trip to Saaremaa
Text: Saile Mägi
Rakvere castle
he small town of Rakvere also has a medieval castle. Rakvere castle was built in the 13th century. For many centuries it has hosted different ru lers of Estonia from Denmark, Sweden and Poland. Nowadays it provides entertainment as a medieval theme park. Visitors can experience a medieval day from the 16th century. They can step into the role of a brave knight or a pickpocket, who has been sentenced to be imprisoned in stocks. Whatever suits them best. Visitors to Rakvere castle soon discover that the Middle Ages were not so dark at all. Many modern scientific discoveries were made in the Middle Ages. In Rakvere castle a medieval alchemist will introduce you to the secrets of his magical transformations, and astrologists will reveal what the stars foretell. You will learn how to create gunpowder and gold and how to set off fireworks. And the bravest can go through the torture chamber and death room. Just like 400 years ago.
Observing Estonian national pride the Kaali Metheoridical Crater
Text: Brenda Rauniste
A quiet place like the village of Koguva makes you smile.
Chung Keng Yeow Want to hear some music?
Photo: Henry Teigar
Happy Birthday!
Relaxation after the exam
Photo: Siim Pille
A I believe I can fly
fter grappling with the problems of physics, it was time for a physical challenge in Tartu Adventure Park. Despite the rainy weather, a lot of students were ready to try out the challenging obstacle courses. “I need to take the chance,“ said a boy from the German team. “I will start with the easiest and then try the harder ones,“ he said enthusiastically. Another boy, who was afraid of heights, said: “I have already fallen off the bus and I don´t want to risk falling again.“ A Chinese participant, who also was not eager to attempt the cour ses, said: “It is enough for me to just enjoy the natural environment with trees.“ The hardest course left adventurers gasping for air, but the easier ones were something that all the climbers could pass through. There was also a student who found time for a nap. It seems that the event was really enjoyable and students had the time of their life.
I am not afraid of heights
Photo: Siim Pille
Who says you can’t ride on a bicycle in the air?
I am a sailor man
Photo: Siim Pille
How many physics laws are they testing?
Photo: Andres Mihkelson
Photo: Siim Pille
Text: Liisi Sünd
Delegates
Feynman’s Corner Waves on beach (solution) The speed of waves in shallow water (ie. for water depth smaller than the wavelength) equals to the square root of the water depth times free fall acceleration. Towards the beach, water is more shallow and hence, the speed of waves is smaller. When interpreted in terms of geometrical optics, this corresponds to a larger coefficient of refraction. According to Snell’s law, rays turn towards a larger coefficient of refraction, and so do waves. The effective coefficient of refraction – the ratio of the wave speed in deep - and shallow water - is given by the reciprocal of the square root of the water depth times the wave vector; this can be very large, which means that even those waves which were travelling almost parallel to the coast will end up running almost perpendicularly to the beach. Dew on grass
Roads
Suppose you are camping and during the night you go out of your tent with a headlamp. If there is dew on grass, the grass will shine brightly (if there is no dew, there is no such effect). Why?
Four cities are located at the corners of a big square. What would the system of roads of shortest total length look like, interconnecting all the cities? Obviously the one depicted is far from the best solution.