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Roller Coaster B: Prior to the competition, teams design, build, and test a roller coaster track to guide a ball or sphere that uses gravitational potential energy as its sole means of propulsion to travel as close as possible to a target time.

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Past Threads: 2018

I'm super hyped for another season of this event. What does everyone think of the dimension and gap changes?

vehicleguy wrote:I'm super hyped for another season of this event. What does everyone think of the dimension and gap changes?

Smaller is better/more fun I think for dimensions. Didn't see any real changes to gap rules or scoring at a glance. Really looks like it will be similar strategy as last year except making time worth more. Gota maximize the dimensions!

vehicleguy wrote:I'm super hyped for another season of this event. What does everyone think of the dimension and gap changes?

It looks more like 2 large gaps instead of smaller gaps this year. I'm not doing it this year but what I would probably do is like 2 jumps with 40 cm or more on both and then get the timing perfect between 10-60 s (i think?)

I think one of the biggest changes is 3.c. Last year, that rule prohibited tubes/funnels, and there was some discrepancy as to what exactly "enclosed" meant. Now, it's unambiguous - "the ball/sphere must be visible at all times." So, does that mean that transparent plastic tubes and funnels are ok? I wouldn't think the rule writers intended that consequence, but surely it must've come up in discussion.

SPP SciO wrote:I think one of the biggest changes is 3.c. Last year, that rule prohibited tubes/funnels, and there was some discrepancy as to what exactly "enclosed" meant. Now, it's unambiguous - "the ball/sphere must be visible at all times." So, does that mean that transparent plastic tubes and funnels are ok? I wouldn't think the rule writers intended that consequence, but surely it must've come up in discussion.

You're right. Big loophole in that new rule. My guess is it will be their first clarification. I might just wait a bit before making a clear tube track. Although even if it were allowed I dont know if the general strategy would change much. Funnels can be cool though!

The roller coaster committee did a very nice job of forcing competitors to balance there gap, height, and time scores as opposed to the gap domination from last year.

Any predictions on how much gap the top teams of nats will have? I predict 100cm gap + max height + perfect time, but what do you guys think? A lot of people have told me 100cm is way too high of an estimate.

sciolyperson1 wrote:Any predictions on how much gap the top teams of nats will have? I predict 100cm gap + max height + perfect time, but what do you guys think? A lot of people have told me 100cm is way too high of an estimate.

Only a couple teams in the nation managed 100 cm last year with much wider/higher dimensions, and I don't think they could manage much time. I have not tried yet but guessing 70 cm gap would be impressive and decent time. The winner will still probably be one with the most gaps. Height is still useless for nationals but could be good at some states. Happy time plays a more important role.

builder83 wrote:

sciolyperson1 wrote:Any predictions on how much gap the top teams of nats will have? I predict 100cm gap + max height + perfect time, but what do you guys think? A lot of people have told me 100cm is way too high of an estimate.

Only a couple teams in the nation managed 100 cm last year with much wider/higher dimensions, and I don't think they could manage much time. I have not tried yet but guessing 70 cm gap would be impressive and decent time. The winner will still probably be one with the most gaps. Height is still useless for nationals but could be good at some states. Happy time plays a more important role.

Last year at nats though alot of teams didn't perform to their best potential. I feel like it would've been way easier to get into the 120s, especially with 80cm? of height (correct me if im wrong)