How To Aim Your Science Olympiad Gravity Vehicle

what is a gravity vehicle

A gravity vehicle is a car that is solely powered by the gravitational potential energy it has when it is placed on a ramp. Many science and engineering competitions, such as Science Olympiad, hold gravity vehicle as an event to learn physics concepts.

In this post, we will discuss how you can aim your Science Olympiad Gravity Vehicle.

aiming your vehicle

Aligning the car on the ramp

to align your gravity vehicle with the ramp, you can simply draw a vertical line on the ramp’s center. Then you should place an alignment bolt on the car, which could be the same bolt used for the release mechanism I discussed here.

Using the release mechanism bolt and the dowel rod in the front of the car, align the car with the line across the ramp’s center.

What Makes a good aiming mechanism?

If you are competing in Science Olympiad Gravity Vehicle, then you definitely want to be able to predict and adjust the distance that the car travels and proximity to the target point. Well, while braking mechanisms adjust the distance the car travels, the aiming mechanism you use greatly affects the car’s proximity to the target point.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’ need to invest a fortune to adjust various aspects of your vehicle to get it to go perfectly straight. Instead, you can uses aiming mechanisms to predict how much your car will veer off course and adjust for that before launching the vehicle.

There are many type of aiming mechanisms that your could potentially use to aim your car for perfection, but there are only two different aspects that make a good aiming mechanism:

  1. Consistency; are you able to repeat the same steps over and over again in multiple different testing venues and still accurately predict the car’s distance form the target point?
  2. Accuracy; are you able to make easy measurements and determine the adjustments necessary to get your car on target

Below, we will discuss some of the best aiming mechanisms that you can use.

Rifle scopes

Rifle scopes are one of the better options when considering aiming mechanisms to use for your gravity car.

To use a rifle scope you need two different things: a rifle scope, obviously, and a target block. Then you should attach the rifle scope onto the gravity vehicle’s ramp and place the target block on the target point. Using the cross hairs of the rifle scope, align the car with the target block. Finally, remove the rifle scope form the ramp and target bock from the track, and then launch the car.

You can adjust the left to right accuracy of the car by measuring how far the car ended up left or right from the target point and moving the target block that same distance away form the target point but in the opposite direction.

Slot/notch alignment

Slot/notch alignment is a cheaper alternative to rifle scopes.

To use a slot/notch alignment you need three different things: two opaque and sturdy slips that have a thin slot or notch in them and a target block. Then you should attach the two slotted sheets onto the gravity car ramp, one slotted sheet on the front and back of the vehicle, and place the target block on the target point. Looking through both slots, align the ramp with the target block. Finally, remove the target bock from the track, and then launch the car.

You can adjust the left to right accuracy of the car the same as with the rifle scope. By measuring how far the car ended up left or right from the target point and moving the target block that same distance away form the target point but in the opposite direction.

Laser pointer

Laser pointers are by far the best aiming mechanism because it all done by machine, removing any human error. However, the rules vary year to year on the legality of using laser pointers.

To use a laser pointer you need two different things: a laser pointer and a target block. Then you should attach the laser pointer onto the vehicle ramp and place the target block on the target point. After turning on the laser pointer, align the ramp with the target block using the laser. Finally, turn off the laser and remove the target bock from the track, and then launch the car.

You can adjust the left to right accuracy of the car the same as with the rifle scope. By measuring how far the car ended up left or right from the target point and moving the target block that same distance away form the target point but in the opposite direction.

experiment with our devices

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