Experimenting for IYPT: Fluid Mechanics in Ping-Pong Balls

[niranjanken]

Hey! (First post)

We're conducting an experiment as a part of a couple of problem sets in preperation for the IYPT, and we're a little stuck in terms of the research we need to have to solve the problem. Basically, (I'm not going to copy paste the question in here, I'd be cheating) We've identified that most of it requires knowledge of fluid mech. In short the question asks the effect of fluid inside a ping-pong ball when it bounces. Anything you can reccomend I read up on or work/brush up on before I get started on the theory work?

 

[LightHero]

I'd suggest looking into the physics of fluid mechanics and the principles of ballistics. Fluid dynamics can help you understand the behavior of fluids and gases (which is what is inside a ping-pong ball) when they are subjected to forces such as acceleration, pressure, and other external influences. Ballistics can help you understand the trajectory of a projectile, such as a ping-pong ball, and how its motion is affected by gravity, air resistance, and other variables. You may also want to research the properties of ping-pong balls themselves, such as their size, shape, weight, and material composition. Finally, I would suggest researching the physics of rebound, which is the study of how objects bounce off surfaces.