Return to list of exhibits      Billiard Ball Scattering

This demonstration uses real billiard-ball scattering to simulate particle scattering.   A camera views the collisions, and a picture capture program allows you to record your own 'events'. For an appropriate audience it also useful for demonstrating conservation of momentum.

The exhibit consists of a table on which balls can collide, with a video camera mounted above and connected to a PC.  There is a tube for 'firing' the incident ball, which also provides the trigger for the camera and PC to start recording the 'event'.  The PC builds up a 'time-lapse' picture of the collision, frame by frame. This can be viewed as a complete "event display" or replayed in slow motion. More details are given below in 'Operating instructions'. The whole assembly is about 2m high.

 

 

 

Click here for instructions on how to assemble the exhibit, or download them in word format here (large file, c. 550KB, as it includes pictures)

For operating instructions, click here, or download the instructions in word format here.  There are also further operating instructions, describing how to use to software in different ways, get these here (html) or here (word).

1 PC with monitor (mounted on computer table)

1 octagonal table (when assembled)

1 video camera on a stand

For a complete component checklist, please see the assembly instructions.

 

 

The complete exhibit is quite heavy, and should not be carried alone.   Assembly is best carried out by at least two people since parts of the exhibit are heavy and difficult to assemble on ones own.

Dimensions: 200 (height) x 90 x 90 cm (assembled)

                   50 x 100 x 100 cm (disassembled)

Weight: ca. 40Kg.

Barney Brooks; Nuclear and Astrophysics Laboratory, Keble Road, Oxford, OX1 3RH

Tel: 01865 273245

e-mail: b.brooks1@physics.ox.ac.uk

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