NZ for Physics World Cup!

This is an awesome competition – you do lots and lots of experiments and hands-on research. The problems are really open-ended, and just plain cool:

1. Gaussian cannon A sequence of identical steel balls includes a strong magnet and lies in a nonmagnetic channel. Another steel ball is rolled towards them and collides with the end ball. The ball at the opposite end of the sequence is ejected at a surprisingly high velocity. Optimize the magnet"s position for the greatest effect.

You have to condense months of research into a 12-minute PowerPoint, and then defend your work in a vigorous debate with other teams. (For more information, go to www.iypt.org) There’s no black-and-white answer, and you can’t go look up the solution in a textbook – because nobody’s ever done this exact problem before, and you’re the one who knows the most about it. And it’s all about teamwork – because your teammates are the ones who will be helping you every step of the way, watching your debate, checking your facts and giving you the support you need to get through. 

We’re really proud to be representing our country, and hopefully we’ll bring you back a great result – NZ has gotten Gold and Silver for the last 4 years. Past Tournaments have been held in Tehran, Vienna, Tianjin, Seoul, and Brisbane. But going to Europe is expensive, and we need the extra cash to help with the travel costs, accommodation, competition fee etc. 

Since the end of last year, we’ve been slaving away in the lab every day after school to get these problems ready, and we’re SO excited to be going! So please, give a little, and help us get there!

Thank you so much ---Jesse, Kaylie, Matthew, Ollie and Howell

(Note: some of the rewards would have to wait until the end of the competition)