Waddling Duck Toy Physics

http://video_demos.colostate.edu/

Dr. Dave and Dr. Tom explain the physics of a wooden waddling duck toy involving friction, impact, energy transfer, and dynamics.

This toy was purchased at: http://www.eurotoyshop.com/Toys/DE-DH0302C/Detoa/Yellow-duck-walker.html

A technical analysis can be found here:
http://www.zfm.ethz.ch/~leine/postdocmunchen_leine_glocker.htm
and in the technical paper:
Leine, R.I., Van Campen, D.H and Glocker, Ch., "Nonlinear dynamics and modeling of various wooden toys with impact and friction", Journal of Vibration and Control, Vol. 9, pp. 25-78, 2003.

More engineering and physics-related video demonstrations can be found here:

http://video_demos.colostate.edu/

Category:

Education

Tags:

• toy
• physics
• wooden
• tumbling
• friction
• impact
• energy
• dynamics

[NigelLoller]

Fantastic set of videos...thanks for posting...In any of your tests did you time the drop between two known points? duck or woodpecker..I woudn't mind betting on accurate repeatability..(thinking of using this for something else!)

[DrDaveBilliards]

@NigelLoller

We didn't time the periods, but you can easily do this with the video, especially in the super-slow-motion segments that have time displayed.

[carvingmadness]

where can i purchase one o these?

[DrDaveBilliards]

@pofrani

You're welcome .. and congrats!

Try to post a video (with reply to this video) so we can see your work.

[pofrani]

@DrDaveBilliards

for info - thanks to your video and article, our 'duck' is currently seeded number 1 with the fastest speed! final race tomorrow tho so i will let you know!

[pofrani]

@DrDaveBilliards

THANK YOU!!!!!! :oD

[DrDaveBilliards]

@pofrani

FYI, I found the article and added a reference and link to the video description. Check it out.

[pofrani]

@DrDaveBilliards

Hi, thanks for that. was the article online then? i am thinking i shall add ball bearing as well to the back leg hinge to eliminate any friction.

[DrDaveBilliards]

@pofrani

I think there was a technical article in the "American Journal of Physics" or in "Physics Teacher;" although I don't have a link. If you can track down the article, the analysis might provide some guidance.

[pofrani]

Hi - need help please.

my college has a race for this next month and me and my department want to win it. we want to know what kind of mods we can do to this to make it go faster?

would longer stride make it fast enough?

i have added weights to the backside to make it kick forward faster and that's helped a bit.

[CT2507]

PERPETUAL MOTION!!!