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See rule 4.b.i for details.

The height minimum sets some limits on how small the overall device can be, though I'm not sure whether many devices ever get near the range of 20-30 cm height. Constraining the balloon's path sounds like it would be a good idea, since it has to strike something to trigger an action.

hmm. I'm kinda stumped thinking of a way to initiate a gas producing reaction without compromising a seal on the balloon.

edit: I have an idea Magnets! one on either side of a test tube, suspending baking soda over vinegar. Outer magnet is pulled, drops the NaHCO3, filling the balloon with C02, no need to compromise the seal! Perhaps that could be included as the starting sequence.

cuber wrote:hmm. I'm kinda stumped thinking of a way to initiate a gas producing reaction without compromising a seal on the balloon.

edit: I have an idea Magnets! one on either side of a test tube, suspending baking soda over vinegar. Outer magnet is pulled, drops the NaHCO3, filling the balloon with C02, no need to compromise the seal! Perhaps that could be included as the starting sequence.

I can probably do the math or just figure this out experimentally, but how much of the reactants do you think we'd actually need to fill a balloon?

Snarknado wrote: I can probably do the math or just figure this out experimentally, but how much of the reactants do you think we'd actually need to fill a balloon?

This is one of those "assume a spherical cow" problems where a bunch of the requisite numbers are best found using experimentation, not models. I would do the math on the right mix of reactants, and then just use way too much.

andrew lorino wrote:

Snarknado wrote: I can probably do the math or just figure this out experimentally, but how much of the reactants do you think we'd actually need to fill a balloon?

This is one of those "assume a spherical cow" problems where a bunch of the requisite numbers are best found using experimentation, not models. I would do the math on the right mix of reactants, and then just use way too much.

The ideal gas law should (not) work.

how could we shorten the time for this action? It’s talig our tests sooo long

Ashernoel wrote:how could we shorten the time for this action? It’s talig our tests sooo long

Depends what reaction you're using.

Changing temperature or ratio can often work.

cuber wrote:hmm. I'm kinda stumped thinking of a way to initiate a gas producing reaction without compromising a seal on the balloon.

edit: I have an idea Magnets! one on either side of a test tube, suspending baking soda over vinegar. Outer magnet is pulled, drops the NaHCO3, filling the balloon with C02, no need to compromise the seal! Perhaps that could be included as the starting sequence.

How would you make the rate that the reactants mix consistent, if you use a magnet?

PM2017 wrote:

cuber wrote:hmm. I'm kinda stumped thinking of a way to initiate a gas producing reaction without compromising a seal on the balloon.

edit: I have an idea Magnets! one on either side of a test tube, suspending baking soda over vinegar. Outer magnet is pulled, drops the NaHCO3, filling the balloon with C02, no need to compromise the seal! Perhaps that could be included as the starting sequence.

How would you make the rate that the reactants mix consistent, if you use a magnet?

I doubt the time would vary so greatly that it would be affected. If you are using the same system it should be relatively the same.

I am doing the same exact thing. I just test various amounts of each chemical and then record it in a data table to submit for points and then keep it constant for competition it works great.