Air Trajectory B/C

[actionpotential]

Yeah we would need to uncrush the bottle somehow, like blowing into it as you suggested earlier. The point is using soda bottles would be compliant with the rules. (Device must return to ambient air pressure automatically).

If the soda bottle is connected to the outside, the air pressure would automatically return to ambient after launching, even though the bottle is crushed. Then we would inflate the bottle again and set it up for another launch.

How reliable results are you guys getting with crushing the soda bottle? Any other ideas you guys have for your devices?

[cifutielu]

Yeah we would need to uncrush the bottle somehow, like blowing into it as you suggested earlier. The point is using soda bottles would be compliant with the rules. (Device must return to ambient air pressure automatically).

If the soda bottle is connected to the outside, the air pressure would automatically return to ambient after launching, even though the bottle is crushed. Then we would inflate the bottle again and set it up for another launch.

How reliable results are you guys getting with crushing the soda bottle? Any other ideas you guys have for your devices?

We've tried some really complicated ideas (bellows), but those did not work at all.

As for the tube, we've been using a short PVC pipe.

Our results have been pretty reliable, but aren't always consistent.

[SV Scioly]

Is a Foose ball legal to use?

[azuritemalachite]

Is a Foose ball legal to use?

I think it's better to stick with the projectiles that we know for sure is legal, but it falls within somewhat of the category the rules have provided. So yes you can, but make sure you bring back up just in case it actually isn't allowed.

[chalker]

Is a Foose ball legal to use?

I think it's better to stick with the projectiles that we know for sure is legal, but it falls within somewhat of the category the rules have provided. So yes you can, but make sure you bring back up just in case it actually isn't allowed.

The rules are very explicit as to what types of balls are allowed, and I don't think a foose ball falls into any of the categories. As always, this isn't the place for official statements though - go to soinc.org for that.

[bernard]

Several FAQs regarding Air Trajectory have been posted on the official Science Olympiad website:

Please define "plastic practice golf balls". Are high density polyurethane foam practice golf balls allowed? (section: 3f / paragraph: a / line: 3/4)
The most common type of plastic golf balls are plastic dimpled and plastic with holes and HDPE foam types are legal. As long as they are commercially marketed as "plastic practice golf balls", they may be used. It is recommended that students bring the packaging if there is a question.

Its stated that the launch area is "1.00 m x 1.50 m (parallel to the launch direction)," does this mean that launch area is 1.50 m in length along the launch access and 1 m wide? (section: 4 / paragraph: a / line: 2)
Yes, the 1.5 m side of the launch area is the side that is parallel to the launch direction and the front of the launch area is 1 m wide.

The height of the target is not specified in the rules. What are the limits on how high or how low the targets can be compared to the launching area? (section: 4 / paragraph: e / line: 1)
Rule 4.d. explicitly says that the target is either tape on the floor or panels lying on the floor. There should not be any significant difference between the floor height in the launch area and the targets.

Can a team take one shot each for both targets and then decide which target it takes a second shot and/or take a bucket shot (if allowed by 4.i)? (section: 4 / paragraph: g / line: 1)
Competitors may choose either target for their first shot. They may then choose to take their second shot at the same target or their first shot at the other target. If they qualify to take a bucket shot after their first shot at a particular target, they must ask for the bucket when they wish to take the second shot at that target.

How can the competitors make measurements after the launch without touching the target? (section: 4 / paragraph: h / line: 2)
Competitors will be told the distance of the targets from the launch area and can measure their impact locations from the launch area if outside of the target.

If the projectile bounces off the bottom of the bucket and then out of the bucket would the bonus count? (section: 4 / paragraph: i / line: 7)
Rule 4.i states that "making contact with the inside bottom surface is worth an additional 100 points." It does not state that after making contact the projectile must remain in the bucket, so the bonus is given even if the projectile subsequently bounces out of the bucket.

[cifutielu]

Yes, it will make a big difference. You simply blow in the end of the tube and the bottle will go back to near normal size.

What are you using for a tube? any modifications to it??

Would a team be allowed to blow into the end of the tube during the competition/after a launch?

[retired1]

There is nothing in the rules to prohibit it, so it would be allowed unless the contest put out a modified rule prior to the event. It is really no different than using additional bottles after each shot.

[cifutielu]

There is nothing in the rules to prohibit it, so it would be allowed unless the contest put out a modified rule prior to the event. It is really no different than using additional bottles after each shot.

Thanks!

[joeyjoejoe]

Please define "plastic practice golf balls". Are high density polyurethane foam practice golf balls allowed? (section: 3f / paragraph: a / line: 3/4)
The most common type of plastic golf balls are plastic dimpled and plastic with holes and HDPE foam types are legal. As long as they are commercially marketed as "plastic practice golf balls", they may be used. It is recommended that students bring the packaging if there is a question.

Thanks for the post! It just saved us a bunch of wasted time.
We splurged and bought the most-plasticky feeling high density foam practice golf balls we could find and were having great results. Unfortunately, the word "plastic" is nowhere on the packaging so its back to the real plastic golf balls.