Astroblaster—a fascinating game of multi-ball collisions

Kireš, Marián

doi:10.1088/0031-9120/44/2/007

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 5 publications

(4 reference statements)

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“…This universal study can be applied to realistic ball parameters for both first and second bounces. Detailed study of two-particle interactions can also be extended to chain collisions of multiple particles in a line [9,[16][17][18][19][20] or studied in the chaotic régime [21]. While the linear dashpot force gives qualitatively similar results to the Hertz force on the first bounce [6], simulating these forces in chain collisions yields qualitatively different results [22], so an interested student may wish to extend this study to such a force.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Delayed rebounds in the two-ball bounce problem

Bartz¹

2022

Eur. J. Phys.

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In the classroom demonstration of a tennis ball dropped on top of a basketball, the surprisingly high bounce of the tennis ball is typically explained using momentum conservation for elastic collisions, with the basketball-floor collision treated as independent from the collision between the two balls. This textbook explanation is extended to inelastic collisions by including a coefficient of restitution. This independent contact model (ICM), as reviewed in this paper, is accurate for a wide variety of cases, even when the collisions are not truly independent. However, it is easy to explore situations that are not explained by the ICM, such as swapping the tennis ball for a ping-pong ball. In this paper, we study the conditions that lead to a ``delayed rebound effect," a small first bounce followed by a higher second bounce, using techniques accessible to an undergraduate student. The dynamical model is based on the familiar solution of the damped harmonic oscillator. We focus on making the equations of motion dimensionless for numerical simulation, and reducing the number of parameters and initial conditions to emphasize universal behavior. The delayed rebound effect is found for a range of parameters, most commonly in cases where the first bounce is lower than the ICM prediction.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Delayed rebounds in the two-ball bounce problem

Bartz¹

2022

Eur. J. Phys.

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“…We arranged the multiple-collision apparatus by 'merging' two well-known educational toys: a Newton's cradle [12,13] and an Astro-Blaster TM [18,19], which 3 is also known as 'Seismic accelerator' 4 . The Astro-Blaster used in this work (described in [19]) is composed of a kit including four superballs (figure 1), whose characteristic parameters are summarized in table 1, together with those of two additional superballs purchased in a local toy store.…”

Section: Experimental Apparatusmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…From this perspective, we developed a multiple-collision apparatus, based on Newton's cradle, consisting of appropriate sequences of colliding balls obtained from the well-known Astro-Blaster toy [18,19]. The main goal of this paper is to propose two experimental setups that teachers can integrate into learning paths as a part of more general educational activities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Newton’s cradle and Astro-Blaster: toy hybridization for studying chain collisions

2023

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We present a multiple-collisions apparatus, based on low-cost and easy-to-find materials, which offers the opportunity to plan and to conduct a sequence of experimental activities aimed to study in a very simple way the energy transfer in multiple collisions. Our apparatus is based on the use of everyday life’s objects like toys, which allow stimulating students’ interest by creating a familiar learning context. Two significant experiments on multiple collisions are described and the analyses of the corresponding experimental results are discussed. The first experiment makes it possible to analyze the kinetic energy transfer along a chain of adjacent balls. The second experiment offers the opportunity to give an analogic conceptual illustration of the bounce of a supernova core after the gravitational collapse. Each experiment is pedagogically introduced by asking students to answer a appropriate stimulus questions, which were identified by instructors in a preliminary brainstorm session with students. Last, a theoretical model is given for kinetic energy transfer along a chain of balls and the experimental results are compared with the model predictions.

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“…Study of this simple toy model may inform simulations in these practical applications by demarcating the conditions under which the ICM model is useful, and where more detailed simulations are required to accurately reflect macroscopic effects. Detailed study of two-particle interactions can also be extended to chain collisions of multiple particles in a line [4,5,6,7,8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Delayed Rebounds in the Two-Ball Bounce Problem

Bartz

2020

Preprint

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In the classroom demonstration of the two-ball drop, some conditions lead to a "delayed rebound effect," with the second bounce of the upper ball higher than the first. This paper uses two models to explore the causes of this phenomenon. The classic independent contact model (ICM) is reviewed for the first bounce, and extended semianalytically to the second bounce in the perfectly elastic case. A dynamical model based on a linear dashpot force is studied numerically. The delayed rebound effect is found for a range of parameters, most commonly in cases where the first bounce is lower than the ICM prediction.

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Astroblaster—a fascinating game of multi-ball collisions

Cited by 4 publications

References 5 publications

Delayed rebounds in the two-ball bounce problem

Delayed rebounds in the two-ball bounce problem

Newton’s cradle and Astro-Blaster: toy hybridization for studying chain collisions

Delayed Rebounds in the Two-Ball Bounce Problem

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