The Science Behind the Bounce
Physics Fundamentals
š Gravity's Call
Every journey begins with gravity's gentle (or not-so-gentle) pull. Our wooden hero experiences the exact same gravitational acceleration as Earth provides: 9.8 m/sĀ² downward.
Without gravity, there would be no adventure. Just floating. And who wants that?
š Conservation of Energy
Potential energy at the top transforms into kinetic energy during the fall. Each bounce converts some motion energy into heat, sound, and deformation energy.
The ball never stops completely - energy just changes forms!
The Art of the Bounce
- Approach: The ball approaches with speed and angle, carrying momentum from previous bounces
- Contact: Collision with the block occurs, typically at the ball's lowest point where velocity is mostly downward
- Deformation: Both ball and block deform slightly during impact (physics calls this the compression phase)
- Rebound: Stored energy pushes the objects apart, launching the ball in a new direction determined by conservation of momentum
- Outcome: The bounce angle depends on the contact point and incoming velocity - left, right, or even backward!
The Block's Role
Stationary Sentinels
The fixed blocks provide structure and unpredictability. Positioned strategically, they create the "choices" that define each Plinko run.
Material Matters
Block density, surface texture, and material affect bounce characteristics. Steel blocks give predictable bounces; rubber blocks create chaos!
Rolling vs. Bouncing
Interestingly, between major bounces, our ball often rolls along the block surfaces. This creates periods of relative stability amid the chaos.
The transition from rolling to airborne bounce depends on surface friction and the angle of the path.
Note: At its heart, Plinko is a demonstration of Newtonian mechanics in action!
Did You Know?
šÆ Probability
The odds of the ball landing in the center slot are mathematically calculated based on the board's geometry and block positions.
ā” Speed
A typical game ball reaches speeds up to 15-20 km/h during free fall, depending on board height.
š Chaos Theory
Microscopic differences in release position can lead to dramatically different outcomes - the butterfly effect in wood!