you throw 2 balls at a bunch of pins. is it better to throw a putty or rubber ball?

What is your objective?

to knock them over. its dealing with elastic/inelastic/totally inelastic collisions

I would use a rubber, it is likely to be deflected off the first pin, and knock over more pins.

i hate to tell you this, but you were wrong. the putty was better because it was one pin, and when looked at in terms of momentum, the rubber ball retains much of its momentum, just negative. the putty retans no momentum, transferring it all to the pin.

When considering whether it is better to throw a putty or rubber ball at a bunch of pins, there are a few factors to consider. Let's discuss how we can analyze this situation:

1. Material: Start by understanding the properties of both putty and rubber balls. Putty is typically soft, sticky, and deformable, while rubber balls are bouncy and resilient.

2. Pin Interaction: Consider how the balls interact with the pins. A putty ball might adhere to the pins upon impact, potentially knocking down more pins due to its stickiness. On the other hand, a rubber ball will bounce off the pins, potentially hitting more pins in subsequent bounces.

3. Pin Configuration: Analyze the arrangement of the pins. If they are closely packed, a putty ball might have a higher chance of getting multiple pins stuck together due to its stickiness. However, if the pins are more widely distributed, a rubber ball's bouncing ability might allow it to reach pins that a putty ball might not reach.

4. Personal Preference: Finally, consider your own style and skills. If you are more comfortable with the feel and handling of one type of ball over the other, it might affect your overall performance.

Given these factors, there is no definitive answer as to whether a putty or rubber ball is better for throwing at pins. It ultimately depends on the specific situation and personal preference.