A ball is dropped twice off the same initial height. trial one bounces

In summary, the experiment involved dropping a ball twice from the same initial height and measuring the velocity and time it spent in contact with the ground for each trial. Trial one had a velocity of 3m/s and a contact time of 0.01s while trial 2 had a velocity of 2m/s and an unknown contact time. The question is whether the impulses on the ball are the same for both trials or less in trial 2. The impulse is defined as the change in momentum and can also be calculated by working out the speed and time.
  • #1
melofc
2
0
a ball is dropped twice off the same initial height. trial one bounces back with a velocity of 3m/s and trial 2 bounces back with a velocity of 2m/s. the time the ball is in contact with the ground for trial 1 is 0.01s. are the impulses on the ball the same for both trials or is it less in trial 2?
 
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  • #2


What do you think, and why?
 
  • #3


How would you define the Impulse?
 
  • #4


change in momentum
 
  • #5
melofc said:
change in momentum
Ok. What are the momentum changes in each case? And what is the other way of specifying impulse? (Working out speeds and times is easy, from the facts you have.)
 

1. Why does the ball bounce higher after the second drop?

When the ball is initially dropped, it gains potential energy due to its position at a higher height. As it falls and reaches the ground, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, causing the ball to bounce back up. However, some of the energy is lost due to friction and air resistance, resulting in a lower bounce height. When the ball is dropped for the second time, it already has some kinetic energy from the first drop, allowing it to bounce higher as there is less energy lost to friction and air resistance.

2. Will the ball bounce the same height after each drop?

No, the ball will not bounce the same height after each drop. As mentioned before, some energy is lost with each bounce due to factors such as friction and air resistance. This means that the ball's bounce height will decrease with each subsequent drop, but it may still reach a relatively consistent height after a few drops.

3. How does the surface affect the ball's bounce height?

The surface that the ball bounces on can greatly affect its bounce height. A harder surface, such as concrete, will cause the ball to bounce higher compared to a softer surface, like a carpet. This is because harder surfaces can exert a greater force on the ball, resulting in a higher bounce. Additionally, a smoother surface will also result in a higher bounce compared to a rougher surface due to less energy being lost to friction.

4. Why does the ball eventually stop bouncing?

As mentioned before, energy is lost with each bounce due to factors such as friction and air resistance. This means that with each subsequent bounce, the ball has less energy to bounce back up with. Eventually, the ball will stop bouncing altogether as it loses all of its energy to these forces.

5. Is the ball's bounce height affected by gravity?

Yes, gravity plays a significant role in the ball's bounce height. The acceleration due to gravity affects the ball's downward movement, and it will also affect the ball's upward movement as it bounces back up. A stronger gravitational force will result in a faster downward movement and a higher bounce height, while a weaker gravitational force will result in a slower downward movement and a lower bounce height.

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