Pocket billiards is essentially a practical laboratory for classical mechanics, governed by the laws of motion, momentum, and friction
. This guide outlines the core physics principles that dictate every shot on the table. Dr. Dave Pool Info 1. The Collision: Momentum and Energy Every shot in pool is a study of collisions Elastic Collisions
: When a cue ball hits an object ball, the collision is nearly elastic, meaning kinetic energy is mostly conserved. Conservation of Momentum
: Momentum is transferred from the cue stick to the cue ball, then to the object ball. For a head-on collision between two balls of equal mass, the cue ball will stop completely (transferring all momentum), while the object ball moves forward at the cue ball's original speed. 2. The Geometry of the Cut Shot
The "cut angle" determines the direction of the object ball. The Line of Centers
: To pocket a ball, the cue ball must strike the object ball so that their centers form a straight line pointing toward the pocket. The 90° Rule (Tangent Line)
: For a "stun shot" (no top or bottom spin), the cue ball will always travel along a path exactly 90 degrees away from the object ball's path after impact. Dr. Dave Pool Info 3. Spin and Friction (English) the physics of pocket billiards pdf
Applying spin (known as "English") changes the ball's trajectory via friction and rotation. ResearchGate
Pool and Billiards Physics Principles by Coriolis and Others
The physics of pocket billiards is a classic application of Newtonian mechanics, involving the complex interplay of linear and angular momentum, friction, and near-elastic collisions. The field was pioneered by French physicist Gaspard-Gustave Coriolis
, who in 1835 published the first comprehensive mathematical analysis of the game, including descriptions of ball trajectories that remain fundamental to modern understanding. Core Physical Principles
Newton’s Laws of Motion: The cue ball remains stationary until an external force (the cue stick) is applied, while its acceleration depends on the force and speed of the strike.
Momentum & Energy Conservation: When balls collide, they exchange kinetic energy. These collisions are nearly elastic, meaning most kinetic energy is conserved rather than lost to heat. Pocket billiards is essentially a practical laboratory for
Friction & Rolling: The interaction between the ball and the table cloth creates friction, which eventually converts a ball's initial "sliding" motion into "natural roll". The Mechanics of Spin (English)
Applying spin, often called "English," changes a ball's path through rotational dynamics. The physics of pool/billiards - Evan Kiefl
When you cut a ball (strike it off-center), two hidden effects change the outcome:
You might ask: "Why not just watch a YouTube video?" The physics of pocket billiards is mathematical. Video struggles with the following, which a static PDF handles beautifully:
sin(2θ) of the cue angle. You need the equation saved offline.The initiation of motion begins with the cue tip striking the cue ball. The outcome depends on the impulse delivered and the height of the contact point relative to the ball's center of mass.
This is the most misunderstood aspect of the game. A standard pool shot is not a perfectly elastic collision because the balls are not lubricated. The PDF dedicates extensive sections to static and kinetic friction during the milliseconds of contact. Chapter 5: The Cut Shot – Throw and
Cut-Induced Throw (CIT): When you hit an object ball with "cut" (an angled hit), the friction between the balls pulls the object ball slightly away from the perpendicular line. The PDF reveals:
Practical application from the PDF: To make a thin cut into a corner pocket, you must overcut the angle by roughly 2 to 4 degrees. The PDF provides the trigonometric tables to calculate this offset.
When a cue strikes the ball off-center to impart sidespin, the ball does not travel parallel to the cue stick’s direction. The cue tip acts like an inclined plane, pushing the ball away from the stick.
If the cue ball has sidespin (english) when it strikes the object ball, the frictional force at the contact point pushes the object ball slightly offline.
Unlike standard "how-to" pool books (e.g., The 99 Critical Shots), Marlow’s PDF is dense with: