Results

The winner of the 2011 Tournament was The Harker School. The second place winner was Rye Country Day School. The tournament was hosted at Oak Ridge Associated Universities.

Problems

Dominoes: Numerous domino tiles are balanced on a table or floor with their long axis vertical with horizontal spaces that can be varied. When the first tile is knocked over a domino wave occurs. Predict and measure the speed of this wave and its dependence on various parameters.

Salt Water Oscillator: Pour fresh water into tall container. Place a cup with a hole in its bottom surface on top of the fresh water. Prepare a solution of salt water and add some food coloring. Pour this solution into the cup on top of the fresh water and simultaneously push the cup down into the fresh water. Secure the cup so that the level of salt water is approximately the same as the level of fresh water. Observe the on-again and off-again flow of salt water into the fresh water. Predict the frequency of these oscillations from first principles, and compare to experiment. Investigate sizes of holes, salt concentrations, and other liquids.

Magic Motor: Construct a DC motor without a commutator, using a single battery, a single permanent magnet, and a single loop of wire. Predict the frequency of rotation of this motor from first principles and compare to experiment.

Boiling Water: Some people say it is important to put a lid on the pot when you want to boil water for tea to save energy and time. Investigate this phenomenon.