JOURNAL ARTICLE

Oblique angle collisions between three or more billiard balls.

  • Published In: American Journal of Physics, 2023, v. 91, n. 11. P. 879 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Cross, Rod 3 of 3

Abstract

This article focuses on the physics of oblique angle collisions involving three or four identical billiard balls, where one ball strikes two or three stationary balls in contact. It demonstrates that conservation of momentum and kinetic energy alone cannot fully predict the outcomes due to more unknown variables than equations, but unique solutions emerge when the directions of impact forces are incorporated. Experimental results using billiard balls on carpeted surfaces show reasonable agreement with the theoretical model, though measured speeds are lower than predicted due to energy losses from friction and inelastic collisions. The study extends the analysis to four-ball collisions, providing equations and example solutions consistent with observed post-collision angles and relative speeds.

Additional Information

  • Source:American Journal of Physics. 2023/11, Vol. 91, Issue 11, p879
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Physics
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:0002-9505
  • DOI:10.1119/5.0119656
  • Accession Number:173241005
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