Balloon Task

[Jacobi]

What forces count? Gravity, electrostatic, bouyant? Is hanging the balloon upside down gravitational guidance?

I would say gravity only. Opinions expressed on this site are not official; the only place for official rules changes and FAQs is soinc.org.

This is obviously in serious need of an FAQ or a clarification.

Agreed.

[PM2017]

Does this new FAQ also void all designs where the ballon simply points downwards, regardless of whether or not it has weights?

[CookiePie1]

Does this new FAQ also void all designs where the ballon simply points downwards, regardless of whether or not it has weights?

It says the baloon must be able to move randomly, so i don't see how it would be wrong to place a balloon upside down as long as it can move freely and randomly.

[nmurali2002]

I'm probably overlooking a really obvious solution, but how do you plan on initiating the reaction? If you have a hole in a beaker to drop baking soda in (for example), wouldn't the CO2 just escape from that hole rather than inflate the balloon? Do you just make your hole as small as possible?

[ScottMaurer19]

I'm probably overlooking a really obvious solution, but how do you plan on initiating the reaction? If you have a hole in a beaker to drop baking soda in (for example), wouldn't the CO2 just escape from that hole rather than inflate the balloon? Do you just make your hole as small as possible?

one word: magnets (needed to included more than 3 words to not have my post taken down )

[PM2017]

Does this new FAQ also void all designs where the ballon simply points downwards, regardless of whether or not it has weights?

It says the baloon must be able to move randomly, so i don't see how it would be wrong to place a balloon upside down as long as it can move freely and randomly.

SoCal FAQs have clarified this, saying that it is legal.

[PM2017]

I'm probably overlooking a really obvious solution, but how do you plan on initiating the reaction? If you have a hole in a beaker to drop baking soda in (for example), wouldn't the CO2 just escape from that hole rather than inflate the balloon? Do you just make your hole as small as possible?

one word: magnets (needed to included more than 3 words to not have my post taken down )

Same.
(So as to not get my post taken down, here's a thought. I don't know how it would be implemented, but there are in fact some one-word answers that do convey enough meaning to be considered useful. Perhaps these should not be restricted by the one word limit? For example, responding no, or yes to a question implies that you are saying no to the entire question. Therefore, it does have the substance needed to be useful, but this substance is implicit.)

[nicholasmaurer]

Does this new FAQ also void all designs where the ballon simply points downwards, regardless of whether or not it has weights?

It says the baloon must be able to move randomly, so i don't see how it would be wrong to place a balloon upside down as long as it can move freely and randomly.

SoCal FAQs have clarified this, saying that it is legal.

Unfortunately SoCal FAQs have no official weight outside of SoCal...

However, my understanding is that this would be considered legal. If it is the balloon's own weight that is pulling it down, then it would not be considered guidance. This stands in contrast to adding weights into the balloon, which the FAQs have prohibited.

An open question remains as to what happens if small amounts of the vinegar/baking soda splash into the balloon.

Opinions expressed on this site are not official; the only place for official rules changes and FAQs is soinc.org.

[TheSquaad]

It says the baloon must be able to move randomly, so i don't see how it would be wrong to place a balloon upside down as long as it can move freely and randomly.

SoCal FAQs have clarified this, saying that it is legal.

Unfortunately SoCal FAQs have no official weight outside of SoCal...

However, my understanding is that this would be considered legal. If it is the balloon's own weight that is pulling it down, then it would not be considered guidance. This stands in contrast to adding weights into the balloon, which the FAQs have prohibited.

An open question remains as to what happens if small amounts of the vinegar/baking soda splash into the balloon.

Opinions expressed on this site are not official; the only place for official rules changes and FAQs is soinc.org.

Considering that this should occur by random, I think it would still be legal by definition of "can move randomly." As long as a significant amount of liquid doesn't stretch the balloon downwards, it should be fine.

[nicholasmaurer]

SoCal FAQs have clarified this, saying that it is legal.

Unfortunately SoCal FAQs have no official weight outside of SoCal...

However, my understanding is that this would be considered legal. If it is the balloon's own weight that is pulling it down, then it would not be considered guidance. This stands in contrast to adding weights into the balloon, which the FAQs have prohibited.

An open question remains as to what happens if small amounts of the vinegar/baking soda splash into the balloon.

Opinions expressed on this site are not official; the only place for official rules changes and FAQs is soinc.org.

Considering that this should occur by random, I think it would still be legal by definition of "can move randomly." As long as a significant amount of liquid doesn't stretch the balloon downwards, it should be fine.

The concern is that this liquid would qualify as a weight. How would you define a "significant amount of liquid?"