Carrom Comets
First draw or imagine a straight path from the striker to a point on the top cushion. The opening between that path and the cushion is the approach angle. Its vertex is the point where the striker meets the edge.
Before you try
How could you aim at a queen using one bounce off the top edge?
Try it out
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What happened?
Move a control to see what changes and why.
The game practises one idea at a time with simple drawn pictures. Check the same idea with real objects and your NCERT textbook (Chapter 2: Shapes and Angles, pages 30).
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Try these ideas
- Move the aiming point and predict the new rebound.
- Compare a narrow approach with a steep one.
- Use the direction of a miss to adjust your next shot.
Why it works
First draw or imagine a straight path from the striker to a point on the top cushion. The opening between that path and the cushion is the approach angle. Its vertex is the point where the striker meets the edge.
In the ideal rebound used here, the outgoing path makes an equal angle with the same straight cushion. The path changes direction, but the incoming and outgoing slants are balanced at the contact point. If you aim at a different cushion point, the reflected path reaches a different place.
Watch whether the striker passes to the left or right of the queen. Adjust the cushion contact point and try again. Later rounds hide the predicted outgoing line until you strike. Real carrom also involves friction, spin and imperfect cushions; the game isolates the equal-angle geometry described in the chapter.
Worked example: The incoming path makes 50° with a straight cushion. What outgoing angle does this model use? Compare both paths with the same cushion. The rebound rule makes these two angles equal. The outgoing path also makes 50° with the cushion.
Check your understanding
Question 1 of 2
What is equal in the ideal bounce?
Moving the aiming point can change where the striker goes.
Explain it in your own words
What changed? Why did it happen? Where might you notice this in everyday life?
For parents & teachers
- Ruler rebounds · 8 minutes. Draw a cushion line and one incoming path. Use a tester or protractor to construct an outgoing path with an equal opening.
- Predict the miss · 5 minutes. Before striking in the game, say whether the outgoing path will pass left or right of the queen, then check.