Hrvoje Benko, Brian Gilman, Dan Goldshlack

February 4, 2001

CSC 498

Project Description

Goal: to create a simulation demonstrating the physical phenomena of friction and momentum in a “pool table-like” setting.

We intend to create a field that will simulate a pool table, with one ball of variable (user-changeable) mass and a cue ball that can be hit at a certain angle (horizontally variable) with a certain initial velocity (both user-controlled). Each of the balls will have arrows on the side of the table that controls their variables.

We will be using the conservation of momentum and conservation of kinetic energy for elastic isolated two particle system equations. Depending on time, we may add friction and/or multiple balls.

Conservation of momentum: m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = m₁v₁ + m₂v₂

Conservation of kinetic energy: (1/2)m₁u₁² + (1/2)m₂u₂² = (1/2)m₁v₁² + (1/2)m₂v₂²

Each of the equations will be split into one-dimensional systems to make the calculations.