Bottle Rocket B

[bernard]

Any projected Nationals-winning times yet? I'm thinking around the same as last year, but I'm not sure.

The overall weight of rockets would be lighter, due to the usage of 1 liter bottles rather than 2, but the air compressed would also be less than a 2 liter, when both are pumped to a constant PSI.

And finally, a question: would ES(s) enforce the rule of only using carbonated beverage bottles as pressure chambers? For example, I've seen 1 liter SmartWater bottles being used before, but those aren't carbonated, are they? I say this because it really limits the shapes available to competitors, whether we're using a carbonated bottle or not, and it could put those who thought exclusively of carbonated bottles at a disadvantage, if non-carbonated bottles are loosely allowed. What are your thoughts on pressure chamber shapes/bottle brands?

I'm guessing the carbonated beverage rule is there because bottles for carbonated beverages are designed to withstand the higher pressures of carbonated beverages. Think of the very thin water bottles you see now; they're not as thick as carbonated beverage bottles because they don't need to be. If you fill a weak bottle with lots of air, the chance for explosions is greater.

[SPP SciO]

And finally, a question: would ES(s) enforce the rule of only using carbonated beverage bottles as pressure chambers?

100% - as said above, it's a safety concern. Labels are required, and it's pretty easy to tell by looking at it - carbonated beverage bottles have that indented pattern on the bottom, which pops out if it's under unsafe pressure - sort of like a pre-explosion warning.

[abartonkc]

Since we have never done this event previously, I have a couple of questions with regards to the egg.

Does the egg need to be placed into an easily accessible compartment or can it be placed in a location that will then be sealed up by tape during the launch?

What can you bring with you to prepare the rocket with the egg and prior to launch? Are there any restrictions? Is the egg only placed in the rocket during the 10 minute window prior to launch or can it be loaded prior to that?

Thanks.

[Zioly]

Since we have never done this event previously, I have a couple of questions with regards to the egg.

Does the egg need to be placed into an easily accessible compartment or can it be placed in a location that will then be sealed up by tape during the launch?

What can you bring with you to prepare the rocket with the egg and prior to launch? Are there any restrictions? Is the egg only placed in the rocket during the 10 minute window prior to launch or can it be loaded prior to that?

Thanks.

Run down of how the competition and the egg will work:

1. You've built your rocket. It can hold an egg in ANY possible way, as long as tape/glue does not adhere to said egg. Therefore, it can be in a compartment. In fact, that is the only logical way that I see it.

2. Once arriving at the launch site for competition, you must select 2 eggs that the judges will provide for you. Once the eggs are selected, you must place the egg(s) in their separate rockets.

3. You have 10 minutes to prep your rockets for launch. (Although the judges don't really care about it, from past experience.)

Hope this helps. If not, please respond with more questions.

[Unome]

(Although the judges don't really care about it, from past experience.)

I would caution that this is strongly dependent on the particular event supervisor; though they are in theory all supposed to stick to the rules, sometimes they do not.

[SPP SciO]

Just don't pack and seal the egg so hard that you can't retrieve it. You'll have to produce your unscathed, team-identified egg to show the supervisor. Since you only get one flight per rocket, no biggie if you cause some structural damage upon retrieval. However, for practice purposes, you'll want to design a nicely accessible egg chamber.

[Zioly]

Hi, I'd just like to ask for clarification on a rule.

Under Construction Parameters, rule i states that "Nothing (e.g., glue or tape) may adhere to the egg." What is the purpose of this rule? To make it so that the egg doesn't stick to the paper towel on testing? To restrict certain designs? To save time at the competition?

I just don't want to use a design that would break a general rule, so any interpretation is appreciated!

[bernard]

Hi, I'd just like to ask for clarification on a rule.

Under Construction Parameters, rule i states that "Nothing (e.g., glue or tape) may adhere to the egg." What is the purpose of this rule? To make it so that the egg doesn't stick to the paper towel on testing? To restrict certain designs? To save time at the competition?

I just don't want to use a design that would break a general rule, so any interpretation is appreciated!

Perhaps there's some substance I could apply to the outside of the egg to make it stronger.

[Zioly]

Hi, I'd just like to ask for clarification on a rule.

Under Construction Parameters, rule i states that "Nothing (e.g., glue or tape) may adhere to the egg." What is the purpose of this rule? To make it so that the egg doesn't stick to the paper towel on testing? To restrict certain designs? To save time at the competition?

I just don't want to use a design that would break a general rule, so any interpretation is appreciated!

Perhaps there's some substance I could apply to the outside of the egg to make it stronger.

Ah! I see. Thank you for the response, Bernard. That really helped! I had never even thought of using anything to make the egg's shell sturdier. From this, I assume using tape to help the egg avoid any impact force would be legal, if the tape does not directly adhere to the egg, yes?

[bernard]

Hi, I'd just like to ask for clarification on a rule.

Under Construction Parameters, rule i states that "Nothing (e.g., glue or tape) may adhere to the egg." What is the purpose of this rule? To make it so that the egg doesn't stick to the paper towel on testing? To restrict certain designs? To save time at the competition?

I just don't want to use a design that would break a general rule, so any interpretation is appreciated!

Perhaps there's some substance I could apply to the outside of the egg to make it stronger.

Ah! I see. Thank you for the response, Bernard. That really helped! I had never even thought of using anything to make the egg's shell sturdier. From this, I assume using tape to help the egg avoid any impact force would be legal, if the tape does not directly adhere to the egg, yes?

That sounds reasonable.