Rotor Egg Drop B

[Cade]

I made a big rotor-egg drop, and dropped down our schools' stair case. I think it was 17 feet, and I used a 57 g. weight (that's like the average weight of an egg) and it fell in 6.1 seconds. Is this a good time?

Are you sure that is the right time at the stated height? It seems too good to be true to me.

Yes, yes, it's all true.

[hogger]

I made a big rotor-egg drop, and dropped down our schools' stair case. I think it was 17 feet, and I used a 57 g. weight (that's like the average weight of an egg) and it fell in 6.1 seconds. Is this a good time?

Are you sure that is the right time at the stated height? It seems too good to be true to me.

Yes, yes, it's all true.

Maybe when you are done with states, you can post a video of your run because i would really like to see the actual amazing time of this device in action.

[Cade]

Today is the day I will test my Rotor-Egg Drop! I have a real egg now, which is probably heavier than the weight I was using before (50 g.). Let's see if it breaks or not.

[Cade]

Today is the day I will test my Rotor-Egg Drop! I have a real egg now, which is probably heavier than the weight I was using before (50 g.). Let's see if it breaks or not.

The egg weighed 60 grams, which is 10 grams more than the weight I used before. It dropped in 5.5 seconds, and in 3 trials, the egg never broke. A success. Thanks for the support.

[torqueburner]

Regarding the question of what constitutes a "parachute" (rule 3a), I was looking on the National SO website today to see if there were any new FAQs or clarifications for any of the events, and I no longer see the statement about the event supervisor using his/her best judgement. . . as quoted below. Has anyone gotten any sort of reply about this? I was going to submit a question until I saw the answer above, guess I will ask now that it has disappeared. I've also sent this same question to the event supervisor of our upcoming regional competition.

Skink and Jeff,

. . .Even though I understand the onsite supervisor has discretion, and Science Olympiad site states, "The event supervisor will use his/her best judgement as to whether the rotor captures air and/or is acting as a parachute" it doesn't give a clear, data based measurable specifications to come as close as you can to build the device. and I thought it is an engineering event where only specific measurable data rules. However, we will certainly follow Jeff Anderson's guidance and submit our clarifying request to NSO. Hopefully asking measurable requirement will not be discarded as Trivial, because only one person is asking.

With warmest regards,

[jander14indoor]

Hmm, I think a lot of clarifications have disappeared since they updated the website. Sounds like time for some notes to the clarifications team.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

[chalker7]

Hmm, I think a lot of clarifications have disappeared since they updated the website. Sounds like time for some notes to the clarifications team.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

They were doing maintenance on the website this weekend. Not sure if that's related.

[torqueburner]

That is my guess. I see that they are back, at least most of them, including the original "supervisor. . . best judgement" answer and also this one:

02/21/2013 - 22:08 What constitutes a Parachute?
If the rotor captures air it will be considered a parachute. Covering on the rotor must be taut so that when the device is dropped the covering does not bulge, capturing air.

Hmm, I think a lot of clarifications have disappeared since they updated the website. Sounds like time for some notes to the clarifications team.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

They were doing maintenance on the website this weekend. Not sure if that's related.

[hogger]

That is my guess. I see that they are back, at least most of them, including the original "supervisor. . . best judgement" answer and also this one:

02/21/2013 - 22:08 What constitutes a Parachute?
If the rotor captures air it will be considered a parachute. Covering on the rotor must be taut so that when the device is dropped the covering does not bulge, capturing air.

The funny thing is, as we all know, the point of the "blade" or "wing" is to create pressure difference and accumulate more air below than above. At what point is the blade capturing air enough to be a parachute? For the people that uses flexible material to cover the blades, I guess there could be a problem if you really want to be absolute stickler about things.

[fifty_missions]

The rules for this event were not created by the same group that handle the rules Wright Stuff, Gliders and Helicopters. Tread with caution when designing your vehicle.