Catapults (Period 3) (Pair Event) (Football Field) (Entry Restricted to the first four people per class.)
(a) The catapult must consistently fire an unaltered tennis ball provided by the contestant and clearly marked with the contestants name, a distance of 20 meters.
(b) A target will be placed at either end line depending on the subject of the soccer field. Physics will use the near soccer goal and chemistry will use the far soccer goal. Line up along that line and a target will be placed 20 m directly in front of you. Your whole device must be behind the chalk line.
(c)The measured distance from the target will be determined from the point of initial impact, and not where the ball settles after rolling.
(d) The catapult must make use of a lever arm no greater than 50 cm long from the pivot point to the center of the ball.
(e) There will be two launches for each catapult, and the best distance will be recorded. No practice launches will be permitted on the site prior to competition.
(f) Any catapult that is unsafe in the opinion of the judge(s) will be disqualified and the contestants will lose the lab grade for the activity. Be careful during construction and testing also especially if you are using a spring. Testing at school has to occur with adult supervision.
(g) Contestants must remove their device from the competition site at the conclusion of their participation or disqualification will occur.
(h) Make sure your names are clearly marked on the device
MINIMUM STANDARDS: Construct and safely operate a catapult that will launch a tennis ball to within 5.0 m of the predetermined target. If this distance is not satisfied, your grade will be proportional to the closeness to the target distance received