What Causes Increased Horizontal Velocity After a Perfect Bounce?

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    Lab Rebound
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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the physics of a ball's rebound, specifically addressing the phenomenon of increased horizontal velocity after a "perfect bounce." The context is grounded in concepts of elasticity, momentum, and the effects of friction during the collision with the ground.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between the ball's spin, friction, and the resulting horizontal velocity after a bounce. Questions are raised about whether the observed effects apply only to a perfect bounce or to all types of bounces.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants offering insights into the mechanics of the bounce and questioning the assumptions about elasticity and friction. There is no explicit consensus, but various interpretations of the effects of spin and friction are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of a "perfect bounce" versus less than perfect bounces, as well as the role of rotational motion in contributing to linear velocity changes. The original poster expresses uncertainty about the final question in their lab report.

sonya
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ok my physics class jst did a lab on studying rebound and last question in the report says:

An extrapolation of the data to a perfect bounce (ie. one that reaches to the height of the launch point) results in a bounce distance that is more than twice the horizontal distance of the point of impact from the launch point. Since the fall of the ball from the launch point is only half the trajectory of such a perfect bounce, this means that the horizontal velocity after the bounce is greater than it was before the bounce.

What is a possible reason for this??

i am stuck on this last question...ne help would be much appreciated!
 
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The ball is spinning. Friction with the floor during the collision gives it a forward momentum.
 
but wouldn't that happen with ne bounce then...not jst the "perfect" one?
 
With a "perfect bounce" (perfectly elastic), ignoring friction, the ball will come back up to the same height with the same speed. With less than a perfect bounce, it would have lower speed.

With friction, the rotational velocity can be converted to linear motion. If the bounce is "perfect", that can result in greater linear speed that initially. If the bounce is not perfectly elastic, that might not happen. The increase in linear speed due to the rotation might not make up for the reduction due to the inelastic bounce.
 

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