Balloon Task

[Unome]

See rule 4.b.i

The task seems to be similar to last year except with some more stringent requirements.

[ET2020]

Does anyone know what "unguided" means? Does that mean the balloon can't touch any walls?

[Unome]

Does anyone know what "unguided" means? Does that mean the balloon can't touch any walls?

That's a great question. It would definitely mean the device can't be designed so that the balloon expands through a constrained tunnel of sorts.

[nicholasmaurer]

Does anyone know what "unguided" means? Does that mean the balloon can't touch any walls?

That's a great question. It would definitely mean the device can't be designed so that the balloon expands through a constrained tunnel of sorts.

I expect this is going to be a controversial and difficult question, with multiple FAQs over the course of the season. In talking with several people with input into these rules, there is disagreement even among them as to the definition of unguided.

[Brov]

If I have the balloon expand downwards, would gravity be considered as a "guide"? If not, then does placing a mass into the balloon count as having a guide?

[nicholasmaurer]

If I have the balloon expand downwards, would gravity be considered as a "guide"? If not, then does placing a mass into the balloon count as having a guide?

As I said above, "unguided" is horribly vague - there will need to be an FAQ.

[PM2017]

Oh, yeah definitely. I've heard there was even debate over whether gravity counts as guidance. I'm rather concerned about the precedent this would set, since 1. gravity is a fundamental phenomenon that will affect the balloon no matter what and 2. If gravity is considered guidance, what laws of physics are safe, and which ones aren't?

(Sorry for crude grammar, I'm rather sleepy as of the writing of this post.)

[Jacobi]

Guided means that you are forcing the balloon to expand in a way different then it would if it was expanding in the open.

[nicholasmaurer]

Guided means that you are forcing the balloon to expand in a way different then it would if it was expanding in the open.

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

[Jacobi]

Guided means that you are forcing the balloon to expand in a way different then it would if it was expanding in the open.

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.