The Physics of Bouncing a Ball | Science Project

The video tutorial explains the concept of energy loss when a ball bounces, highlighting how energy is converted to sound and heat. It provides a step-by-step guide to setting up an experiment to measure the initial and final heights of a bouncing ball, using these measurements to calculate gravitational potential energy. The tutorial introduces the coefficient of restitution, a parameter that measures the elasticity of a collision, and suggests various science project ideas, such as comparing different balls or surfaces, and examining the effects of temperature and air pressure on bounce dynamics.

What happens to some of the ball's energy when it hits the ground?

• It is stored as chemical energy.

• It is converted into light energy.

• It is lost as sound and heat.

• It is completely retained by the ball.

Which of the following is needed to measure the initial height of a ball in a science project?

• A ruler or meter stick

• A compass

• A thermometer

• A stopwatch

How do you calculate the change in gravitational potential energy of a bouncing ball?

• By multiplying mass and final height

• By subtracting final height from initial height and multiplying by mass and gravity

• By adding initial and final heights

• By dividing initial height by final height

What does a coefficient of restitution of 1 indicate?

• A partially elastic collision

• No collision occurred

• A perfectly elastic collision

• A perfectly inelastic collision

Which factor can affect the coefficient of restitution in a bouncing ball experiment?

• The color of the ball

• The air pressure inside the ball

• The brand of the ball

• The time of day