Algodoo

This device generates random numbers between 0 and 9. The numbers are generated in much the same way that the PowerBall lottery machines (here in the U.S) pick numbers by mixing Ping-Pong balls in a large glass container. I got the idea from my own POWERBALL scene.

A rotating timer determines how long the balls are allowed to bounce around before they are stopped, and a mechanical arm selects one ball to be counted. I created a histogram so that you can see a visualization of the frequency spectrum (number of draws for each ball on the Y axis, and the ball number (0 - 9) on the X axis). If the picks are truly random, then the histogram should show a straight, flat line across the entire X axis after a large population of picks (many hundreds) have been acquired. Before uploading this scene, I ran the machine for only about 30 draws, and the result shows a definite bias toward the low numbers. In order to get a true representation of the randomness, the machine needs to pick at least a few hundred numbers, which would take a very long time because the machine is very slow (watching grass grow is probably more interesting! )

MORE INFO - The time duration between each number pick is 15 seconds.