Linear momentum, angular momentum and energy in the linear collision between two balls

In an experiment of the basic physics laboratory, kinematical motion processes were analysed. The motion was recorded with a standard video camera having frame rates from 30 to 240 fps; the videos were processed using video analysis software. Video detection was used to analyse the symmetric one-dimensional collision between two balls. Conservation of linear and angular momentum lead to a crossover from rolling to sliding directly after the collision. By variation of the rolling radius the system could be tuned from a regime in which the balls move away from each other after the collision to a situation in which they re-collide.