Analysis of billiard ball collisions in two dimensions

Abstract

An analysis of billiard ball collisions in two dimensions with a full account of frictional effects is presented. An experiment designed to test the predictions of the analysis is described. Data are presented showing that the angle between the directions of travel of billiard balls after a collision in which one ball is initially stationary depends on the impact parameter in a rather complicated way, and is not 90 deg as is commonly claimed.