// RESEARCH · 2025–2025
BOUNCER CHALLENGE.
A Python mechanics model predicting where a rolling steel ball lands after two bounces, with sensitivity analysis against experiment.
// SPEC
ROLE
Individual project
ORG
Imperial College London
TOOLS
MATLAB, Python
SKILLS
Modelling
// SHOWCASE
DEMO LINK — NOT SET- ▢ MEDIA SLOT 01image or video — add in the owner console
- ▢ MEDIA SLOT 02image or video — add in the owner console
§ 01
CONTEXT
Predict, before you test, exactly where a steel ball released down a tube will land after bouncing twice — then find out why the prediction is wrong.
§ 02
OBJECTIVES
- 01Model the full trajectory from release to second landing
- 02Quantify parameter sensitivity
- 03Explain the gap between theory and experiment
§ 03
PROCESS
I developed a mechanics model combining conservation of energy, rotational motion, projectile motion and coefficient of restitution, implemented it in Python, and ran sensitivity analysis across restitution, tube angle, tube length and tube height.
§ 04
DECISIONS
◆ DECISION LOG
Building the sensitivity analysis before running experiments — it told us which parameters were worth measuring carefully.
§ 05
CHALLENGES
▲ FAILURE / RISK
Experimental scatter exceeded model uncertainty. Deviations were attributed to friction, spin, release inconsistency, surface irregularity and measurement uncertainty.
§ 06
OUTCOMES
● RESULT
A validated model with a clear account of where and why it diverges from reality.