1. SOSI 2016 Matt Chalker chalker7@gmail.com
Hovercraft
SOSI 2016
Matt Chalker

2. Event Summary Two Sections Test Hands on Hovercraft activity
Various Mechanics topics (see list in rules)
50% of final score
Hands on Hovercraft activity
Similar to Maglev

3. Hovercraft Activity Prebuild Hovercraft Device Run down test track
Adjust speed of hovercraft to meet target time

4. Event Supervisor Provided Track Design
2 metal 2x4s
8 foot table
1 soft barrier
4 bar clamps
2 photogates
2 lasers

5. Hovercraft Test Track Division B – 130.0 +/- 0.5cm
Division C – between and 195.0cm
Target Time – Between 5.0s and 25.0s
Track constructed of two metal 8’x2”x4”’s
Gap 20.0cm +/- 0.5cm
Use photogates if available

6. Hovercraft Device
cm long, <20.0cm tall, must fit between rails
Adjustable is ideal
Max 2000g
Up to two motors/propellers, 9.0V max
Vertical dowel w/flag for timing
Electric switch to turn off

7. Parts of a Hovercraft

8. Scoring
Exam Score (ES) = (Part I score / Highest Part I score of all teams) x 50 points
Time Score (TS) = (1-(abs(run time – target time)/run time)) X 25 points. The smallest possible TS is 0.
Mass Score (MS) = (Mass of vehicle/mass of heaviest successful vehicle of all team) x 25 points (25 max)
Final Score = TS + ES + MS (100 is max)

9. Sample Questions (Nationals 2016)

10. Sample Questions (Nationals 2016)

11. Sample Questions (Nationals 2016)