46

release_the_Q_ball


Hit the "I" ball at such an angle that it creates a chain reaction which ultimately dislodges the "Q" ball.

Whenever the ball in motion hits a stationary ball, the ball in motion replaces the stationary ball in the word, thus forming a new word. The stationary ball is then set in motion at an angle of your choosing.

The balls always move in straight lines, never curves or arcs.

You may use the bumpers to deflect the trajectory of the ball in motion. But don't worry too much about the physics of it.

Words should be common and well-known, not obscure.


For a more difficult version of this puzzle, see here.


SlowMagic
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    But where are the bumpers? – Parcly Taxel Oct 18 '22 at 00:45
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    @ParclyTaxel — The bumpers (also called the bumper rails) are the dark green frame which surrounds the light green play area. In other words, every side of the play area is a bumper rail. – SlowMagic Oct 18 '22 at 00:49
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    Almost feel like this should've been done in reverse, such that you're hitting the Q ball, which is how billiards usually works... – Darrel Hoffman Oct 18 '22 at 17:10
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    @DarrelHoffman I think you mean cue ball, unless I'm missing a joke. – Brandon_J Oct 18 '22 at 17:20
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    @Brandon_J No, that was it. I know it's spelled "cue", but in this case, it's an actual letter Q, which is pronounced the same way, so it's a nice visual pun. – Darrel Hoffman Oct 18 '22 at 17:25
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    "bumpers" == "cushions", at least in my part of the world. – Toby Speight Oct 19 '22 at 14:47
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    I think you should clarify that the replaced balls actually need to form words. You state that words should be common and well-known, however the actual problem statement is only: Dislodge the Q-Ball which you can do by just shooting straight down, finishing the game immediately. – Blackclaws Oct 20 '22 at 08:39
  • Stunning puzzle! – Dmitry Kamenetsky Oct 28 '22 at 07:01
  • @DmitryKamenetsky — Thanks! See a more difficult version here: https://puzzling.stackexchange.com/questions/118506/catching-the-l-train – SlowMagic Oct 30 '22 at 00:56

1 Answers1

54

Here is one possible solution to this puzzle

The I replaces the E in SET to form SIT. Then the E replaces the A in QUOTA to form QUOTE. Then the A replaces the I in SIT to form SAT. Then the I replaces the O in QUITE to form QUITE. Then the O replaces the S in SAT to form OAT. Finally, the S replaces the Q in QUITE to form SUITE.

msh210
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caPNCApn
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    Despite this being a very easy puzzle, this is an awesome answer. Well done. – TTT Oct 18 '22 at 02:40
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    OK, that's a fantastic puzzle (not just basic geometry/physics but word-letter replacement) and a beautiful answer (love me an animated puzzle solution). Upvotes all round. – Rand al'Thor Oct 19 '22 at 05:04
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    @Randal'Thor — Thank you! I was in the process of creating a complex Rube Goldberg arrangement with lots of balls, when this simple setup popped up, so I went with that. Cap's animation really made it beautiful and fun. – SlowMagic Oct 19 '22 at 13:59
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    Could I propose a gif that's a little easier to follow? https://i.stack.imgur.com/TQctm.gif – Engineer Toast Oct 19 '22 at 16:27
  • @EngineerToast thanks, I'll edit it in. – caPNCApn Oct 19 '22 at 18:24