Gravity Vehicle C

[coolio12]

Is the easiest way to check your ramp using calculus to check the brachistochrone curve?
Also what material do you think would be the best on the ramp to help create minimal friction?

Okay, well the brachistochrone and other curves can be modeled using calculus. However, I think it's easier to trace a brachistochrone using a circle, rather than trying to use calculus as that is beyond the level of most people.

well i mean that i am currently in calc 3-4 by the dual enrollment program at my school...so i have a good understanding of calc
so i could use math instead of a circle



Thanks illusionist:)

[coolio12]

Is the easiest way to check your ramp using calculus to check the brachistochrone curve?
Also what material do you think would be the best on the ramp to help create minimal friction?

Minimal friction? Don't you want to have some friction...?

My fault; yes you would like to have some friction, but you dont want to have too much as it could dampen the acceleration of the vehicle and could eventually hurt your score

but you are right....

[questionguy]

Technically would you be allowed to have your vehicle go flying off your ramp in the air, like an airplane, and then just come back down?

[fishman100]

Technically would you be allowed to have your vehicle go flying off your ramp in the air, like an airplane, and then just come back down?

Lol I guess...just make sure the vehicle doesn't break!

[coolio12]

Technically would you be allowed to have your vehicle go flying off your ramp in the air, like an airplane, and then just come back down?

yes you would theoretically be able to have your vehicle fly off your ramp because it is not specified in the rules, but you still might want to submit an email for clarification
Also, that idea wouldn't be the best because you would really have no control over where it land and how long its in the air.

[fishman100]

Technically would you be allowed to have your vehicle go flying off your ramp in the air, like an airplane, and then just come back down?

yes you would theoretically be able to have your vehicle fly off your ramp because it is not specified in the rules, but you still might want to submit an email for clarification
Also, that idea wouldn't be the best because you would really have no control over where it land and how long its in the air.

Well, with good calibration...

[illusionist]

Technically would you be allowed to have your vehicle go flying off your ramp in the air, like an airplane, and then just come back down?

yes you would theoretically be able to have your vehicle fly off your ramp because it is not specified in the rules, but you still might want to submit an email for clarification
Also, that idea wouldn't be the best because you would really have no control over where it land and how long its in the air.

Well, with good calibration...

Lol, "calibration". If I have free time, I think I'm gonna try to build one like that

[Frogger4907]

Is the easiest way to check your ramp using calculus to check the brachistochrone curve?
Also what material do you think would be the best on the ramp to help create minimal friction?

Okay, well the brachistochrone and other curves can be modeled using calculus. However, I think it's easier to trace a brachistochrone using a circle, rather than trying to use calculus as that is beyond the level of most people.

A brachistochrone curve isn't possible to fit into the dimension of the rules if u want it to be near the full height of the 1 meter.

[Balsa Man]

For those considering/working on the building issues around a brachistochrone curve, it might be worth looking back to page 6.....
In a small-scale test of ramps- one flat with a circular section transition at the bottom, one with pretty close to a brachistochrone curve, both angled to fit the rules box, could not measure any difference in horizontal velocity.....

[illusionist]

For those considering/working on the building issues around a brachistochrone curve, it might be worth looking back to page 6.....
In a small-scale test of ramps- one flat with a circular section transition at the bottom, one with pretty close to a brachistochrone curve, both angled to fit the rules box, could not measure any difference in horizontal velocity.....

If they are the same, then why is the brachistochrone so highly regarded as the fastest ramp?
Another ramp design (which I think was talked about before) would be trying to have the steepest veritcal drop and then get lowest to the floor, so that the vehicle transitions quickly from falling vertically to travelling horizontally. I plan on building some scale models to test later, but any thoughts?