Gravity Vehicle C

[Jdogg]

Correct, v vs t is NOT linear, at any point after leaving the ramp. When v is higher, it is closer, but the plot is still a curve.

This may be a stupid question... but wouldn't v vs t be linear because of the constant deceleration? I don't see how the forces acting on the vehicle change with the distance it's traveled to produce a curved v vs t... certainly a curved x vs t however.

That's not a stupid question, since your right

[buzzbuzz]

Does anyone know the distance from nationals and any approximate times/distance scores that placed well?

[Schrodingerscat]

Correct, v vs t is NOT linear, at any point after leaving the ramp. When v is higher, it is closer, but the plot is still a curve.

This may be a stupid question... but wouldn't v vs t be linear because of the constant deceleration? I don't see how the forces acting on the vehicle change with the distance it's traveled to produce a curved v vs t... certainly a curved x vs t however.

That's not a stupid question, since your right

There will be some non linearity however, as for example air resistance is proportional to the square of velocity.

[fishman100]

Does anyone know the distance from nationals and any approximate times/distance scores that placed well?

Distance was around 916 cm from what I heard; perhaps bear will clarify this?
I was there during the last session and saw Grand Haven and Solon's vehicles; both impressive. I think Grand Haven must have hit the Target Point on their 2nd run since I saw one of the team members do a fist pump or something when he was retrieving the vehicle.
Did anyone see Rustin's runs? I was at an invite with them earlier this year, and even then they had a really great vehicle. (Saw their ramp at nats, and from what I could tell they didn't change their design.)

[GoldenKnight1]

Does anyone know the distance from nationals and any approximate times/distance scores that placed well?

Distance was around 916 cm from what I heard; perhaps bear will clarify this?
I was there during the last session and saw Grand Haven and Solon's vehicles; both impressive. I think Grand Haven must have hit the Target Point on their 2nd run since I saw one of the team members do a fist pump or something when he was retrieving the vehicle.
Did anyone see Rustin's runs? I was at an invite with them earlier this year, and even then they had a really great vehicle. (Saw their ramp at nats, and from what I could tell they didn't change their design.)

1st place score was very close to 160 points. About 3 seconds and less than a cm.

[ahoback]

Hey I know it's the middle of the summer, but what have you guy found to be the best way to line up the ramp and vehicle accurately? Laser levels, scopes, ect... Thanks!!!

[iwonder]

Sadly laser levels(which would be best it seems) aren't allowed by last seasons rules, but we always just lined up with the dot on the starting line and were able to(with our ramp design, pretty typical) sight down the edge of the ramp material to the dot, our paperclip also tracked down the edge of the ramp, so it lined up. We ended up passing directly over(I'm not kidding) the target mark at state, we ended up 5cm away, due 'north' of the target point. No need for anything fancy like what was used in electric vehicle it seems, just being patient and very, very OCD(I'm good at that ).

On another note, what kinds of things do people think are going to be added to the rules this year? I'm thinking either a lateral movement of the target point(which might make ramps interesting.. ehh) or adjusting the ramp height(which makes the time prediction very, very interesting). The benefit of the variable ramp height is that it helps to solve the problem balsa man had earlier about timing and length, because ES's with shorter courses can adjust the run time accordingly, and those with longer spaces can do the opposite(which helps keep the interest in the event with higher speeds that was mentioned earlier). Anyone want to give us a hint?

[chalker]

Anyone want to give us a hint?

Yes, lots of us want to... but we really can't at this point;)

[ahoback]

Will they be presented at the Summer Institute?

[chalker7]

Will they be presented at the Summer Institute?

Draft rules are generally distributed to the coaches at the Summer Institute.