Mechanics - Bouncer

In this experiment, a ball was placed in a tube and its motion was predicted using energy methods, kinematics, and restitution as part of the Solid Mechanics Module within Design Engineering MEng Year 1. The ball was found to follow a linear velocity at the start whilst travelling in the tube and proceeded to undergo variable velocity as the ball performed projectile motion due to gravitational field strength acting on the ball. The above figure depicts this motion for our parameters with the results that were found.

The objective of the project was to predict the distance between the tube and the impact after first bounce along the horizontal axis, to the highest degree of precision and accuracy.

Throughout the calculations section, additional contingency checks were used to ensure the final value was accurate. Examples included working out the parametric equation representation of the ball undergoing motion in desmos and an AR model

The AR Projections for the ball’s path
are generated on the fly given a set of parameters. ‘Swift Playgrounds’ was used to quickly develop the model in time for the final experiment.

GitHub: https://github.com/FreddieN/Bouncer-WWDC23

The final project report of the experiment is below: