The discussion revolves around the mechanics of ball collisions with a wall, particularly focusing on the nature of forces involved during the bounce, the role of friction, and the conditions under which these interactions occur. The scope includes theoretical considerations of ideal versus non-ideal collisions and the implications for real-world applications such as billiards.
Participants express differing views on the role of friction in ball collisions, with some asserting that friction is minimal while others highlight its importance in specific contexts like billiards. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact nature and implications of these forces.
There are limitations in the assumptions made about ideal versus non-ideal collisions, particularly regarding the definitions of friction and normal forces. The discussion does not resolve the mathematical or physical nuances involved in these interactions.
In a collision without friction at the contact surface, there can be no force along the surface by definition.UMath1 said:When a ball is bounced against a wall at an angle why is that the wall only applies a normal force perpendicular to the collision location? Shouldn't the force applied by the ball against the wall be along the line at which it travels, at an angle? Then by that logic, by Newton's 3rd Law, shouldn't the wall's force be in the same direction?
Orodruin said:without friction at the contact surface, there can be no force along the surface by definition.
UMath1 said:Ball bounces follow an almost perfect reflection trajectory.
In the context of Snooker / Billiards, the friction is a very relevant factor and that situation is one of the nearest to ideal. If it were not, there would be no point (it would be impossible to do) in giving a ball spin.UMath1 said:Ok. Why is friction a minimal force in a non-ideal situation though? Ball bounces follow an almost perfect reflection trajectory.