Bouncing Ball Model

What is this model?

The bouncing ball model is a basic model that helps students to develop an understanding of complex physics and math concepts, such as inelastic collisions and reflections. The user places a number of balls into a box and then they bounce off of the walls with the program-set initial velocity. The pattern and path of the balls may be surveyed in order to deduce patterns and trends related to transformations, translations, and collisions. The main equation investigated here is the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

What can this Model be used to teach?

Understand the mathematical concept of reflections and translations

Understand the physics concept of inelastic and elastic collisions

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