Bouncing Ball Energy Loss EXPERIMENT

Background

When you drop a ball, it has energy because it is up high. This energy is called potential energy. The higher the ball, the more energy it has. When the ball falls, this potential energy changes into kinetic energy or we can call it the energy of movement.

When the ball hits the ground, it does not bounce back to the same height. This is because some of the energy is lost during the bounce. Some of the energy is turned into heat. For example, because of friction with the air or the ground, and some is turned into sound like you hear the ball hitting the ground. Because of this, the ball does not go back up to the same height, and with each bounce, it reaches a lower height.

In this experiment, we will measure the potential energy of the ball before it is dropped and after each bounce. We will see how much energy the ball loses as it bounces. This helps us understand how energy changes from one form to another.

Objective

1. To investigate the energy loss in a bouncing ball and understand how the factors affect its bounce. 

2. To measure and analyze the amount of energy lost in each bounce for various types of balls. 

3. To compare the energy loss and bounce heights of different balls when dropped from two difference initial heights. 

Materials

1. Balls

2. Ruler

3. Scale

4. Calculator

Theory

What is Potential Energy?

Potential Energy is the energy of an object because of its position. In the case of the bouncing ball, the higher the ball is above the ground, the more potential energy it has. This energy is stored until the ball is released.

The formula to calculate potential energy is :

𝑃𝐸 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ

Where:

𝑚 = mass of the ball (in kilograms)

𝑔 = acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s², which is the pull of gravity on Earth)

ℎ = height of the ball (in meters)

How does the Ball Lose Energy?

When you drop the ball, its potential energy start to change into kinetic energy. But, when the ball hits the ground, not all of the energy is used to make the ball bounce back up. Some of the energy is lost in other forms :

• Heat : Energy is lost as heat when the ball hits the ground or rubs against the air.

• Sound : The sound you hear when the ball hits the ground is another form of lost energy.

• Deformation : The ball might squish a little when it hits the ground and that takes some energy.

Because of these losses, the ball will not bounce back to the same height. With each bounce, the height gets lower, which means more energy is lost.

Experiment Setup

Procedure

1. Measure the mass of each ball and record it.

2. Set 2 initial heights from which each ball will dropped. 

3. Drop each ball from 2 different initial heights and allow ball to bounce 3 times.

4. Record the height reached after each bounce.

5. Calculate the potential energy by using formula E = mgh.

6. Repeat step 5 for each bounce.

7. Plot a energy loss versus number of bounces.

Result

To visualize the energy loss, you can create a graph. Plot the bounce number on the x-axis and the potential energy on the y-axis. This graph will help you to see the pattern of energy loss.

• Label the x-axis as "Bounce Number".

• Label the y-axis as "Height (m)" or "Potential Energy (J)".

• Plot the data points and connect them to see the trend.

Discussion

1. Energy Loss - In the discussion, focus on how much potential energy is lost after each bounce. Compare the potential energy at the drop height and the potential energy at each bounce. Calculate the percentage of energy lost after each bounce.

2. Comparison - Compare the results of different bounces. Does the ball lose the same amount of energy each time, or does the energy loss get bigger? Could the type of ball or surface (hard vs. soft) affect the energy loss?

3. Graph Trends - Look at the graph you created. Does it show a consistent decrease in height with each bounce? How does the graph support what you calculated about energy loss?

4. Possible Errors - Consider possible errors in the experiment. Were the measurements of height accurate? Did any external factors affect the ball's bounce?

5. Further Investigation - How could this experiment be expanded? You could try using different types of balls or change the height from which the ball is dropped. How would these changes affect the energy loss?

Conclusion

1. Observation - Describe your results.

2. Sources of Error - Think about things that might have affected the experiment, like inaccurate measurements or air resistance.

3. Further Investigation -  You could state how the type of ball or surface affects the energy loss. Does a rubber ball lose less energy than a tennis ball?

Reflection

1. Why does the ball lose energy with each bounce?

2. How does the mass of the ball affect its potential energy?

3. What other factors could influence how much energy the ball loses with each bounce?

References

1. M. Cowell, "How to Build a Simple Pendulum," YouTube, 11 Nov. 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeayCvOyshs.

2. Science Buddies, "Bouncing Balls: How does the height from which you drop a ball affect how high it bounces?" YouTube, 5 Dec. 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzJ480muh4U.

3. Sublime Science, "The Bouncing Ball Experiment," Sublime Science. [Online]. Available: https://www.sublimescience.com/free-science-experiments/the-bouncing-ball-experiment/.

4. Education.com, "Ball Bounce: Why Does a Ball Bounce Higher When Dropped from a Greater Height?" Education.com, 22 May 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.education.com/science-fair/article/ball-bounce-higher-dropped-greater-height/.

5. Tualatin High School Physics, "Bouncing Balls and Energy," Tualatin High School. [Online]. Available: https://tuhsphysics.ttsd.k12.or.us/Research/IB15/BharPeteElde/index.htm.