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What exactly qualifies as a falling mass? For 3.a. it says "The falling mass may consist of multiple discrete parts, which together count as the total mass." When it says that, would a weight swinging sideways down (kind of like a playground swing) to a target be considered "falling" mass?

pizzaishellarad wrote:What exactly qualifies as a falling mass? For 3.a. it says "The falling mass may consist of multiple discrete parts, which together count as the total mass." When it says that, would a weight swinging sideways down (kind of like a playground swing) to a target be considered "falling" mass?

Yes. Anything that has potential energy that starts at a specific height (mgh) and is used to convert to kinetic energy is considered a falling mass.

And I'll add that anything attached to the swing with non-nominal mass that decrease in potential energy and provides launch energy (e.g. rods, etc.) should be included in the weight.

Can the students have multiple masses if none of them are greater than 5 kg? My students want to used different weights to hit different distances . . . I'd assume they have to impound all the weights which is fine, but I wanted to make sure multiple weights were legal.

SOCoach wrote:Can the students have multiple masses if none of them are greater than 5 kg? My students want to used different weights to hit different distances . . . I'd assume they have to impound all the weights which is fine, but I wanted to make sure multiple weights were legal.

The rules manual says: "The falling mass may consist of multiple discrete parts, which together count as the total mass."

SOCoach wrote:Can the students have multiple masses if none of them are greater than 5 kg? My students want to used different weights to hit different distances . . . I'd assume they have to impound all the weights which is fine, but I wanted to make sure multiple weights were legal.

I think you'll find last year's discussion (http://scioly.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php? ... 78#p267108) on this topic helpful, though of course rules from previous seasons do not necessarily apply to this year.

Sensei_Sushi wrote:

SOCoach wrote:Can the students have multiple masses if none of them are greater than 5 kg? My students want to used different weights to hit different distances . . . I'd assume they have to impound all the weights which is fine, but I wanted to make sure multiple weights were legal.

The rules manual says: "The falling mass may consist of multiple discrete parts, which together count as the total mass."

Also regarding this rule and how it relates to your question, it seems like the total mass of all of the masses must be less than 5 kg, rather than the individual masses like you asked.