How to use Collision Lab
Tap anywhere inside the table to aim a striker from the left side. The striker transfers momentum into the stationary balls. Every ball-to-ball impact adds to the collision score.
Controls
Tap or click the canvas to aim. The Launch Ball button fires toward a random point in the cluster.
This is a free browser physics experience with no real-money wagering, cash prizes or required account.
What to try
- Aim at the edge of a ball to create angled secondary collisions.
- Compare a direct center hit with an off-center hit.
- Let the table settle before the next launch if you want cleaner experiments.
What the physics shows
For similar masses, a collision can transfer a large portion of one ball’s velocity into another. Off-center impacts also change direction, which is why a compact cluster can quickly turn one launch into a chain reaction.
Why replay it?
Small changes create visibly different outcomes, so the fastest way to understand the system is to repeat the same setup and then change one variable at a time. PegFlux keeps the controls compact so the experiment stays readable on both desktop and mobile.
Direct hits versus glancing hits
A center-to-center impact sends momentum mostly along one line, which makes the result easier to predict. A glancing hit introduces a sideways component and spreads motion through the cluster at new angles. Try aiming at the same ball several times—first through its center and then nearer an edge. The changing chain reaction is a quick visual way to see why impact geometry matters as much as speed.