Roller Coaster SOSI 2017-2018 Patrick Chalker patrickchalkerso@gmail.com

Device that transports a coaster to the end of a track What is Roller Coaster???? Device that transports a coaster to the end of a track Coasters are small spherical objects i.e. (marble, ping pong ball, bearing) Specific target time

Construction Rules 60 cm length x 60 cm width x 80 cm height Track can not be enclosed at any point Coaster must be removable at every point All power for the device has to be from position due to gravity

Construction Rules Cont. Exactly one start line and one finish line MAY NOT be adjusted during competition MUST BE designated during impound

Gaps Open span without track that the vehicle must pass to continue with its run Minimum of 5 cm Measured from end of track to beginning of track Vehicle must travel completely unsupported to count for points Up to 5 distinct gaps can count for points

Not Allowed Magnets, electrical and electronic devices Moving or adjusting the start and finish lines The track may be adjusted Bouncing the vehicle as part of a gap Funnels Springs/rubber bands No potential energy sources

Competition Impound Target time 8 minutes to compete After impound the ES announces the target time of the competition Target time Between 20 and 45 seconds 5s intervals for regionals and invitationals 2s for state, 1s for nationals 8 minutes to compete Team can START up to 2 scorable runs in the 8 minutes

Competition Cont. Failed runs: must be 1 of the 2 declared runs Does not start in 8 minute competition time Vehicle stops moving for 3 seconds Vehicle leaves the boundaries of the device Vehicle fails to cross the Finish Line

Scoring Height Score + Time Score + Gap Bonus + Time Penalty Height Score (100 – track height) Measured from the top part of the track to the floor Includes pieces of track that are not used Gap Bonus 5 pts for each whole cm Measured horizontally from end of track to start of track 5.9cm is considered a 5cm gap

Scoring Cont. Time Score 2 points for every full second UP TO the target time Target Time is 45 seconds, 44.8 is considered 44 seconds. Time Penalty -1 point for every full second AFTER the target time Better to be over time than under time.

Height vs. Gaps Start lower, more points. Start lower, less energy to power gaps 1 point per 1 vertical cm, 5 points per 1 horizontal cm.

Slowing Methods Angling the coaster Speedbumps Alternate track parts More angle on a board, the higher a vehicle is, more energy due to gravitational position. Speedbumps Flaps, notches of wood, pieces of clay Alternate track parts Swap out whole sections of track Swap vehicle. Marble vs. steel bearing vs. ping pong ball

Slowing Methods Examples Angling the coaster More angle on a board, the higher a vehicle is, more energy due to gravitational position.

Slowing Methods Speedbumps Flaps, notches of wood, pieces of clay

Slowing Methods Alternate track parts Swap out whole sections of track

Materials Scrap! Strength in transport Paper, wood, tubing, anything. Consistency in entire coaster Strength in transport Reliable and sturdy transportation box. Avoid overly sensitive parts, this isn’t Mission!

General Tips Coasters are hands on and inexpensive Build many! Try different designs Vary vehicles, different sizes/masses/materials Vary methods of slowing down vehicles, be consistant in methods