Impulse backscattering in granular beds: Introducing a toy model

A two-parameter model to describe impulse backscattering at the surface of a granular assembly is proposed. The model is robust, and, at the same time, sensitive to changes in the distribution of p across the layers. The model qualitatively reproduces the time evolution of average energy of the surface grains of a complex, heterogeneous medium such as granular beds, following the generation of a normal impulse at the bed surface.