Can Coefficients of Restitution Be Assigned Arbitrarily in Simulation Software?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the assignment of coefficients of restitution in a simulation project involving colliding spheres. It is established that the coefficient of restitution is inherently dependent on the nature of the collision rather than the individual objects involved. While the idea of assigning arbitrary coefficients at runtime was proposed, it was concluded that coefficients should be based on material types, such as wood or metal, and must be experimentally measured, similar to coefficients of friction.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of physics principles related to collisions
  • Familiarity with coefficients of restitution and friction
  • Knowledge of simulation software development
  • Experience with material properties in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research methods for experimentally measuring coefficients of restitution
  • Explore material properties and their impact on collision dynamics
  • Learn about simulation frameworks that handle physics-based interactions
  • Investigate the implementation of collision response algorithms in software
USEFUL FOR

Physics simulation developers, game developers, and engineers interested in collision dynamics and material properties in simulations.

Falmarri
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
I'm working on a software project that simulates spheres colliding in free space. We were thinking of having the coefficient of restitution different for each sphere (arbitrarily or randomly assigned at run time) but I forgot that the coefficient of restitution depends on the collision, not the object (physics was 4 years ago =P ). We could easily just have different types of objects (as in wood, metal, etc) and have definitions of coefficients between all the various types, but I'm still determined to have it be able to be arbitrary. Is there a way I can do this? Is there some formula that let's you know what the coefficient of restitution would be for a collision between 2 objects if you know, say, what the coefficient of restitution would be for each object against something whose coefficient is 1?

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
In general, no. Much like coefficient of friction, this is something that needs to be experimentally measured.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Calculating coefficient of resitution
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Undergrad What is the coefficient of restitution
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
107K
Graduate Collision of Uniform Smooth Spheres: Finding Coefficients of Restitution
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Graduate Coefficient of Restitution for a 2-dimensional physics simulator
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K
Undergrad How to determine the force absorbed by an object in a collision?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
High School Questions about momentum and force as well as normal force/friction
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
5K
Undergrad Conservation of Linear Momentum+ Elastic and Inelastic collision
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
Graduate Simulation of internal mechanics of materials of high restitution
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Undergrad Elastic & Inelastic Collisions: Multiple Coefficents of Restitution ?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
9K
Energy Conservation and Coefficient of Restitution
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K