Woodberry Forest School hosted the 2015 US Invitational Young Physicists Tournament. Nine schools from around the country and the world participated in “Physics Fights,” ritualized discussions about research projects.

• Dates

  Tuesday, January 31 - Wednesday, February 1

• Host Institution

  Woodberry Forest School

Avogadro’s Constant

Measure Avogadro’s Constant in as many different ways and methods as you can (at least three, more preferably; the Board knows of approximately twenty methods). Assess the uncertainties of each method and compare your results.

Gauss Rifle

Build and investigate the so-called “Gauss Rifle” that consists of a sequence of magnets and steel balls placed on a rail system. Shortly after one ball is rolled forward at one end of the rail the ball at the other end shoots off with a large speed. Optimize your design to produce the greatest speed of the final ball for a rifle length up to 1 meter.

Parametric Resonance

Below are diagrams of two compound oscillating objects that exhibit parametric resonance. Build one of these devices, and observe and explain the subsequent motion. Explain the relationship, if any, with children pumping their legs on a playground swing.

Teapot Effect, Windowsills, and Drip Kerfs

Champions: Harker School
Second Place: Woodberry Forest School
Finalists: Rye Country Day School, Renmin University HS
Clifford Swartz Poster Session Champions: Nanjing Foreign Language School