DESCRIPTION: Each team will provide one "elastic" cord with which they will conduct two separate
"drops" (Drop 1 & Drop 2) with two separate masses. Each team will attempt to get each mass as
close as possible to, but without touching, a landing surface (or plane). Devices will be impounded
prior to the posting of both masses and both heights (which will be the same for all teams) and no
physical alterations may be made to the device's "cord" once it has been impounded (with the
exception of marking proper drop locations on the cord before the drops).
A TEAM UP TO: 2 THE COMPETITION: APPROXIMATE TIME: 15 Minute
1. The masses: Both "drop masses"(Mass 1 & Mass 2), will be between 75-350 grams At
regionals, both masses will be in multiples of 25 grams, at States the masses will be in multiples
of 10 grams, and may be any mass at Nationals. The masses will consist of different amounts of
ballast, which may be placed into a 500-591 mL soda bottle or other suitable container The
container's total mass value and length, including the attachment mechanism, will be posted
soon after impound.
2. The drop heights: Both "drop heights"(Height 1 & Height 2), will be between 2-7 meters (except
at Nationals where the drop height may reach 10 m). The heights may be the same or different The
exact height from which the drop must occur will be verified by at least two separate measurements by
the Judges. Teams may bring and use their own measuring device, but they must measure drop heights
or masses during the time given for their two drops. The drop height values and drop instructions
(to achieve all teams dropping from the same exact height) will be posted after impound
3. The elastic cord: Students will provide only one "elastic" cord to be used for both of their drops
The cord used may consist of more than one material (rubber, nvlon, thread, plastic or metal
springs, etc.) and more than one strand as long as it meets the elasticity test. The operational
definition of elasticity for this event is: while being suspended vertically, the bottom meter of the
cord must stretch to at least 1.25 meters when a single 500 eram mass is attached to this bottom
section and return approximately to its original length after the mass is removed. Some examples of
materials used for cords have been contest rubber, latex tubing, and sewing elastic. Any team that fails
this "elasticity test" will be allowed to compete, but will be ranked behind all teams which pass the test
The spirit of the rules is that no team attempts to build a "self-limiting-brake" mechanism such as a
separate, parallel, non-elastic strand which "brakes" the fall of the mass with little to no rebound Any
team that blatantly breaks the spirit of the rules, as deemed by the event coordinator, will not be
allowed to compete and will receive no points. Every team's cord must terminate its bottom end with a
closed metal ring that will not open. The diameter of the ring opening must be approximately 1/2 to 1
inch (e.g.. a key ring). Event supervisors will supply an attachment mechanism (hook, clasp
carnhcener. quick-link, etc.). that may include some sort of platform, and will connect the team's
boitom cord ring to each mass.
4. The Drop: The supervisor will supply ;i top anchoring system for the cord, which all teams must
use. Supervisors will also provide an accurate system fordetenninina how close a team's device came
to the landing plane, and whether or not it touched. Some successful methods for determining the
closeness of a drop to the landing plane include high-speed or digital video cameras, multiple spotters
& sonic ranger devices. Possible methods for determining whether the device touched or broke the
landing plane include: a carbon paper drop area, very fine powder landing area, or sonic ranger devices
again, learns will be given a total of 5 minutes to prepare their device^in the holding area, followed
immediately by 5 minutes to complete both drops.
SCORING: The team with the lowest total score for the two drops will be the winner. If there is a tie
the team with the single best drop overall (closest to the landing plane on either drop) will win Teams
with one drop that touches the landing plane will rank below those that have no touch. Teams with two
touches will he ranked below (hose teams with one (ouch. Teams that failed the elasticity test will
rank below all those that passed the elasticity test.
2002-CC25
