a method for determining mechanical properties of a material includes positioning a probe tip of selected material properties having a selected geometry and a selected accelerating mass at a selected position and a selected height above a sample of the material . the probe tip is released to accelerate toward the sample . a first parameter related to force on the probe tip with respect to time is recorded . the releasing the probe tip is repeated with at least one of a different selected probe tip material , a different tip geometry , a different height and a different accelerating mass to record a second parameter related to force . the first and second parameters are used to determine at least one of an elastic property and a strength of the material .