Solve Pool/Snooker Dispute: Smaller or Larger Tip?

[adr147]

Okay. Here is my say:

In cricket, spin is achieved when the ball is in contact with the ground for a maximum amount of time - thus moist pitches and 'flighting the ball' helps. So I would think a larger tip would stay in contact with the ball for a longer period of time. This creates maximum time of contact for a good spin to occur...

a larger tip is in contact for less time - a bigger tip has more of a slapping effect.

 

[prasannapakkiam]

Then it is the smaller tip (I do not play Snooker much), anyway it is all about the time spent in contact.

 

[adr147]

Then it is the smaller tip (I do not play Snooker much), anyway it is all about the time spent in contact.

maybe, although many people on here much brighter than me say it makes no difference!

 

[prasannapakkiam]

Read the book on "Physics of Ball Games". It states in Snooker, such collisions are almost elastic, thus the difference in time in contact is negligible. The only thing REALLY affecting spin, is the position upon which the ball was hit upon.

 

[adr147]

Read the book on "Physics of Ball Games". It states in Snooker, such collisions are almost elastic, thus the difference in time in contact is negligible. The only thing REALLY affecting spin, is the position upon which the ball was hit upon.

this is the point of the question! - i was hoping that someone on here would be able to give me a solid answer and all i have now are more questions!

 

[Danger]

Look at it this way:
You can initially consider the tip and the ball to be spheres of different radii. If neither deformed, there would be a single point of contact as with other spheres. The larger tip has a larger radius than the small tip. Since it does flatten under impact, that radius results in more deformed surface area in contact.
Anyhow, as I said before, personal experience indicates that the larger tip is superior for juicing the ball.

 

[adr147]

now you see months later and still no-body has proved to me in scientific terms which is better, where else can i find this information if not on a physics forum! (hint - i know as a player the answer is smaller, what i don't know is why, and by the way some of the top players in the world are waiting on snooker and pool forums for an answer!)

 

[jambaugh]

One other factor is that the tip mass will effect a deflection of the cue ball when you strike off center (i.e. apply side spin). That is to say instead of the cue ball going exactly in the direction of your stroke, it will bounce slightly to the side. The lighter the tip the less this will occur. Smaller usually means lighter in this case. For all I know that is the main issue.