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Air Trajectory
Event Description:
Type: Build Event
Team: Two Individuals
This event requires teams to build a device that launches a load using only gravitational energy. There are many different designs to create such a device. An example would be to use a plastic bottle. Contestants can attach a soda bottle to the end of a tube/pipe. Then they may drop a weight on said bottle which can force the air out through the tube and force the ball away. Although this isn't the best design, a good way to test and increase power is to increase or decrease what height the weight is dropped. The build should be tested rigorously in many different temperatures, humidities, and environments in order to account for any unwanted factors. A goal for competitors should be to always hit the target with maximum consistency in order to secure wanted results. The build should also be sturdy enough (as long as it is in event parameters) to make sure that it isn’t broken. If a build is broken, recalibration must be done. In past years, the competitors must trigger a device from at least 75 cm away to convert gravitational energy into movement. A usual specification includes that the device cannot launch the load unless the mass is dropped. (All information past this point is based on the wiki, and, may very well change with the introduction of this year's rules manual so remember nothing is set in stone.) In the past, the targets were placed 2m and 8m away from the launch area. The closer target is placed on an imaginary line that bisects the launch area and the farther target may be 2m off the line. Also, the targets must be separated by a distance of up to 2m. Competitors are allowed 2 shots per target. For scoring, the goal is to launch the load as close to the target as possible. The closer target is worth 2000 points minus the distance of initial impact in millimeters, and the farther target is worth 4000 points minus the distance of initial impact in millimeters. If the first shot is within 50 cm of the target, the contestants can get a bucket shot that is worth a maximum of 300 points. The competitors must also bring a graph for predictions of the best launch parameters that is worth a maximum of 400 points. This means the max score can only be 7000 points. Some pieces of advice include making sure to wear safety goggles if required, bringing a checklist to make sure any task needed for success is completed, don’t be in the launch box during launch, and not to rush.