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2004 National Science Olympiad

Compute This! (Division C)

Background

Sunspots are visible, darkened regions on the Sun’s surface whose characteristics include strong magnetic fields and cooler-than-average surface temperatures. The appearance and disappearance of these regions is a dynamic phenomenon, and the number of sunspots visible from earth is constantly varying as the Sun rotates in space. At any point in time, the number of sunspots is directly related is directly related to ionizing radiation, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections (CME’s) being emitted from the Sun… all of which can effect radio communication, electric power grids, and the appearance of brilliant Aurora Borealis (i.e. “Northern Lights”) displays here on earth.

Graphical Problem

Using data from the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), please construct a 3-D Line Graph in Microsoft Excel to illustrate solar activity for the ten-year period of 1991-2000. On one line of the graph, please plot the Annual American Sunspot Number for each year of this ten-year period. On a second line in the graph, please plot the Average Monthly Number of H-alpha Solar Flares for each year of the ten-year period.

Please place an appropriate title above your graph, label both the X and Y axes, and include a legend to indicate which line in the graph represents the Annual American Sunspot Number and which line represents the Average Monthly Solar Flares.

Short Answer Questions

In Microsoft Word, please provide the answer and associated URL for each of the following questions. Once again, official NGDC web sites should be used as the source for your answers. Please note that several questions require two separate answers, and that complete sentences are NOT required in your response.

1. In what year did Swiss astronomer Johann Wolf introduce a method for the daily measurement of sunspot numbers? (10 points)

2. What was the largest Daily American Sunspot Number observed in 1995? In what month was it observed? (5 points each).

3. The sun emits radio energy known as Solar Flux that varies in intensity as sunspot numbers rise and fall. At what frequency (in MHz) is Solar Flux measured? (10 points)

4. Sunspot numbers repeatedly rise and fall over periods of time known as sunspot cycles. What is the average time (in years) for sunspot numbers to rise from a minimum to a maximum? What is the average time (in years) for sunspot numbers to fall from a maximum to a minimum? (5 points each).

5. Cosmic rays are high-energy particles that are found in space and filter through our atmosphere. From what region (layer) of the Sun are Solar Cosmic Rays emitted? Does the emission of Solar Cosmic Rays vary with the sunspot cycle (yes or no)? (5 points each)

General Instructions

1. Please place your school name and team number at the top of your Excel and Word files.

2. Please name your files (school name).xls and (school name).doc and save as instructed.

3. Save your work regularly throughout the event.

4. Your Excel file should include both a spreadsheet data table and a 3-D Line Graph as described above.

5. Your Word file needs to include only the answers and URLs for each of the five questions.

6. Reference materials and calculators are not permitted. You may use blank scrap paper to organize your work.

7. This is a two-person event. Absolutely no external communication with others (e-mail, chat, or other).

8. Please raise your hand if you have a technical problem or question on the event.

9. Please speak in a low tone with your partner. Let’s keep the noise level down.

10. When you are done, please save your files and hand in your signed questions sheet.

THIS IS A TRIAL EVENT IN 2004

HAVE FUN AND GOOD LUCK!

2004 National Science Olympiad

Compute This! (Division C)

SCHOOL NAME _________________________________________ TEAM NUMBER _______

STUDENT SIGNATURES 1. _______________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________

(Do Not Write Below This Line)

(Event Supervisor Use Only)

PLACE __________

Completeness & Accuracy of Quantitative Data Collected (20 Points Max) ______

Annual American Sunspot Numbers _____ (10 Points)

Average Monthly Solar Flares _____ (10 Points)

Completeness, Accuracy, and Format of Graphical Data (30 Points Max) ______

3-D Line Graph Format _____ (5 Points)

Title Above Graph _____ (5 Points)

X Axis Labeled _____ (5 Points)

Y Axis Labeled _____ (5 Points)

At Least One Line of Data Plotted _____ (5 Points)

Legend Exists _____ (5 Points)

Answers and URL’s for Short Answer Questions (50 Points Max) ______

1. Year of Sunspot Method _____ (10 Points)

2. Largest Daily Number & Month _____ (10 Points – 5x2)

3. Frequency of Solar Flux (MHz) _____ (10 Points)

4. Time to Rise, Time to Fall (Years) _____ (10 Points – 5x2)

5. Solar Region, Vary w/ Cycle (Y/N) _____ (10 Points – 5x2)

TOTAL SCORE ______

TIE BREAKER: [ ] Short Answer Questions [ ] Quantitative Data Collected [ ] Overall Graphical Quality

2004 National Science Olympiad

Compute This! (Division C)

Quantitative Data Collection (20 Points)

Annual American Avg. Monthly Total Annual

Year Sunspot Numbers Solar Flares Solar Flares

(1 Point Each) (1 Point Each) (1/2 Pt. Partial Credit)

1991 144.3 541 6495

1992 93.5 329 3952

1993 54.5 212 2541

1994 31.0 89 1066

1995 18.2 53 639

1996 8.4 23 280

1997 20.3 66 790

1998 61.6 202 2423

1999 96.1 330 3963

2000 123.3 373 4474

Graphical Presentation (30 Points)

3-D Line Graph Format (5 Points)

Title Above Graph (5 Points)

X Axis Labeled (5 Points)

Y Axis Labeled (5 Points)

At Least One Line Plotted (5 Points)

Legend Exists (5 Points)

Short Answer Questions (50 Points)

(1) 1848 (10 Points)

(2) 75, March (5 Points Each)

(3) 2800 MHz (10 Points)

(4) 4.8 Years, 6.2 Years (5 Points Each)

(5) Chromosphere, Yes (5 Points Each)

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Compute This!

Sample Problem from 2004 National Tournament

Note: This sample problem is provided to illustrate the format and structure of a Compute This! problem.

For 2009, all problems will be focused on the topic of geological and environmental science and will be extracted from the greater Internet domain.

Please refer to the 2009 event rules for details.

Good Luck!

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