A small oscillation model for the “water dancing ball”

Abstract

Inspired by the "water dancing ball" problem proposed in the International Physicists' Tournament 2019, we study the small-angle oscillations of a cylinder on a plane subject to a thin sheet of water. The interaction between the water flow and the cylinder is modeled using basic physics principles such as Newton's laws, momentum, and energy conservation. We found that the flux of water around the cylinder applies a force which is responsible for the oscillations of the cylinder. From the motion equation of the cylinder, the period of oscillation is calculated in the harmonic approximation. Our results are contrasted with the period measurements presented recently by Pagaud and Delance, with a good agreement found, showing an error of only 10%.