←back to thread

A new pyramid-like shape always lands the same side up

(www.quantamagazine.org)
594 points robinhouston | 1 comments | 25 Jun 25 20:01 UTC | HN request time: 0.23s | source
Show context
ChuckMcM ◴[25 Jun 25 21:09 UTC] No.44381861[source]▶
Worst D-4 ever! But more seriously, I wonder how closely you could get to an non-uniform mass polyhedra which had 'knife edge' type balance. Which is to say;

1) Construct a polyhedra with uneven weight distribution which is stable on exactly two faces.

2) Make one of those faces much more stable than the other, so if it is on the limited stability face and disturbed, it will switch to the high stability face.

A structure like that would be useful as a tamper detector.

replies(12): >>44382132 #>>44382239 #>>44382240 #>>44382291 #>>44382682 #>>44382693 #>>44382719 #>>44382821 #>>44384580 #>>44384845 #>>44385378 #>>44387476 #
ortusdux ◴[25 Jun 25 22:15 UTC] No.44382291[source]▶
You jest, but I knew a DND player with a dice addicting that loved showing off his D-1 Mobius strip dice - https://www.awesomedice.com/products/awd101?variant=45578687...

For some reason he did not like my suggestion that he get a #1 billard ball.

replies(4): >>44382580 #>>44382824 #>>44382950 #>>44385232 #
gerdesj ◴[25 Jun 25 22:59 UTC] No.44382580[source]▶
Love it - any sphere will do.

A ping pong ball would be great - the DM/GM could throw it at a player for effect without braining them!

(billiard)

replies(5): >>44382631 #>>44382917 #>>44382932 #>>44383700 #>>44385279 #
1. thaumasiotes ◴[25 Jun 25 23:53 UTC] No.44382917[source]▶
> the DM/GM could throw it at a player for effect without braining them!

If you're prepared to run over to wherever it ended up after that, sure.

I learned to juggle with ping pong balls. Their extreme lightness isn't an advantage. One of the most common problems you have when learning to juggle is that two balls will collide. When that happens with ping pong balls, they'll fly right across the room.