When a basketball is dropped, it converts gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy until it hits the ground, where some energy is transformed into thermal energy and sound, preventing it from bouncing back to its original height. This energy transformation does not violate the Law of Conservation of Energy, as energy is not lost but rather converted into different forms. The ball's elastic potential energy during the bounce is insufficient to regain the initial height due to energy losses. Factors such as thermal energy and sound energy play a role in this process, highlighting the complexity of energy transformations. Understanding these principles clarifies why the ball does not return to its original height after bouncing.
