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.