Can a remote control device, powered by a separate battery, be used to start the system?
No. A remote control device will be considered to be part of the system, and the system can be powered only by the single AA battery. • If a ramp is used to transport the balls by which the heavier end is supported by some vertical support, then the motor is used to remove the support causing the ramp to pivot and thus lifting the balls to travel down the ramp, does this violate the potential energy rule? Yes. See Q&A #’s 16, 17 and 18, Update 2. • If the ramp in Q&A # 38 is returned to its original position before the balls come to rest, is the run valid? Yes. • Can the kinetic energy generated from the ramp in Q&A # 38 be used to power another device? Yes, provided Q&A # 39 holds. • Can permanent magnets be used in the system? It depends on how they are being used. If there is a significant net change in magnetic potential energy (for any individual magnet), the design will be disqualified. See item 4 in the problem statement and Q&A #’s 16, 17 and 18, Update 2. • Answer # 17 states
