Impact Parameters of Spherical Viscoelastic Objects and Tomatoes

Abstract

ABSTRACT A microcomputer and digital oscilloscope were used to measure and analyze impact data from tomatoes and spherical non-biological viscoelastic materials. A simple model was used to determine the acceleration, velocity, and displacement of the impacting sphere. Concepts of momentum, restitution, and energy conservation were used to evaluate the impact system, the analytical procedures, and the test objects. Easily measured or observed parameters of the force versus time curve were correlated with the properties of the sphere.