In spite of interest in the dynamics of the billiards family of games (for example, pool and snooker), experiments using present-day inexpensive and easily accessible cameras have not been reported. We use a single high-speed camera and image processing techniques to track the trajectory of snooker balls to 1 mm accuracy. Successive ball positions are used to measure the dynamical parameters involved in snooker. Values for the rolling and the sliding coefficients of friction were found. The cushion-ball impact was studied for impacts perpendicular to the cushion. The separation angles and separation velocities after an oblique collision were measured and compared with predicted values. Our measurement technique is a simple, reliable, fast, and nonintrusive method, which can be used to test the numerous theories for the dynamics of billiards. The addition of a spin tracking element would further broaden its capabilities.
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September 2009
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September 01 2009
Application of high-speed imaging to determine the dynamics of billiards
S. Mathavan;
S. Mathavan
a)
Mechatronics Research Group, Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering,
Loughborough University
, Loughborough LE11 3UZ, United Kingdom
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M. R. Jackson;
M. R. Jackson
b)
Mechatronics Research Group, Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering,
Loughborough University
, Loughborough LE11 3UZ, United Kingdom
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R. M. Parkin
R. M. Parkin
c)
Mechatronics Research Group, Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering,
Loughborough University
, Loughborough LE11 3UZ, United Kingdom
Search for other works by this author on:
S. Mathavan
a)
M. R. Jackson
b)
R. M. Parkin
c)
Mechatronics Research Group, Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering,
Loughborough University
, Loughborough LE11 3UZ, United Kingdoma)
Electronic mail: [email protected]
b)
Electronic mail: [email protected]
c)
Electronic mail: [email protected]
Am. J. Phys. 77, 788–794 (2009)
Article history
Received:
December 19 2008
Accepted:
June 02 2009
Citation
S. Mathavan, M. R. Jackson, R. M. Parkin; Application of high-speed imaging to determine the dynamics of billiards. Am. J. Phys. 1 September 2009; 77 (9): 788–794. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3157159
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