Gravity Vehicle C

[fleet130]

I'd ask the students which ones they would want to pick before they run

Brings to mind a conversation that went something like this:

Measurer: "There are 2 marks on this vehicle, which one do I use for measurement?"
Event Supervisor: "Use the mark on the left side."
Student: "But the right one is closer, you should measure to that one."
Event supervisor: "What does this note on your scoresheet say?"
Student: "Measure to mark on left side of vehicle."
Event Supervisor: OK, so we'll measure to the left one.
Student: But when you asked, I said don’t use the mark on the left side.
Event Supervisor: Whose handwriting is the note in?
Student: Mine.

End of discussion.

Note:

The rules say: "a bent paperclip which serves as a measurement point on either side of the vehicle",

not: "a bent paperclip, which serves as a measurement point, on either side of the vehicle".

The wording leaves room for misinterpretation (especially with the current level of expertise in the English language) and could be improved. I'de go back and check where the wording came from but, with my luck, it would be me!.

[bearasauras]

Thanks Fleet130, yah, we'll make sure the wording is improved next year.

[Half-Blood-Princess]

Ah I see. But I would be okay with 2 paperclips (one on left and one on right). As long as they're not inside....

How would it be okay with two paperclips? What if the left one is closer on one run, then the right one is closer on the next. Would you be able to pick which one you want to measure from?

Ohhhhhh I think your right! That wouldn't make any sense if you put one on both sides, now that I think about it...

[Half-Blood-Princess]

But doesn't the rules say "a bent paper clip?"

http://www.bentpaperclip.com/ here's a pic of basically the same thing I am using for the 'bent paper clip'

[Primate]

But doesn't the rules say "a bent paper clip?"

http://www.bentpaperclip.com/ here's a pic of basically the same thing I am using for the 'bent paper clip'

err, is that not a bent paperclip?

[fishman100]

But doesn't the rules say "a bent paper clip?"

What I meant by that was "if the rules say a paper clip" wouldn't having multiple clips be illegal?

[sj]

But doesn't the rules say "a bent paper clip?"

What I meant by that was "if the rules say a paper clip" wouldn't having multiple clips be illegal?

We need to have "A bent paper clip" for the purpose of measurement, but that does not disallow us from having multiple paper clips so long as one is designated as the one that will be used for measurement at the start of the competition. I agree that this may bring up issues if the supervisors do not explicitly record which clip is used for measurement, but the rules do not, in my opinion, probihit multiple paper clips that could potentially be valid points of measurement.

[illusionist]

I could see a team having a vehicle that is consistent, but not accurate. They could have multiple paper clips on their vehicle and use a different one for each distance (like the third one on the left for 5 meters).

[bearasauras]

Funny you should mention that, I just saw a vehicle with two pointers 2 hours ago.

[fishman100]

If you had the chance to test your vehicle on the same location (gym, hallways, etc.) that GV will be held would you test on that surface? I had the opportunity last night and I was DQ'd today for doing so.