Simple model of bouncing ball dynamics: Displacement of the table assumed as quadratic function of time

Abstract

Nonlinear dynamics of a bouncing ball moving in gravitational field and colliding with a moving limiter is considered. Displacement of the limiter is a quadratic function of time. Several dynamical modes, such as fixed points, 2-cycles, grazing and chaotic bands are studied analytically and numerically. It is shown that chaotic bands appear due to homoclinic structures created from unstable 2-cycles in a corner-type bifurcation. © 2011 The Author(s).