How High Will the Ball Bounce After Losing Energy on Impact?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a conservation of energy problem involving a ball dropped from a height of 2.68 m, which loses a fraction of its energy upon impact. Participants are exploring how to calculate the height to which the ball will bounce after losing energy due to the collision.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the initial potential energy of the ball and the energy lost during the collision. Some express uncertainty about their calculations and whether they are accounting for the energy loss correctly. Others suggest simpler methods to approach the problem, questioning the assumptions made about energy conservation and the impact of energy loss.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing their calculations and questioning each other's reasoning. Some have provided guidance on simplifying the problem, while others are still grappling with the correct approach to account for energy loss.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of missing information and the need to clarify the assumptions regarding energy loss during the collision. Participants are also considering the implications of the problem's setup on their calculations.

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[SOLVED] Conservation of Energy problem

Assuming there is no air friction, A 1.4 kg ball is dropped from a height of 2.68 m. It hits the ground, losing 1/12 of its energy in the collision. How high will the ball bounce upward before it comes momentarily to rest?


E = K sys + U sys
Ef = Ei
1/2mv^2 + mgh = 1/2mv^2 + mgh

I've attempted this problem but I seem to be missing some piece of information and I have run out of ideas hopefully someone can point me in the right direction.

Since there are no non-conservative forces then W non conservative = 0 and there are no external forces so that Work is equal to zero.

change in mechanical E = Ef = Ei

Ef = Ei
1/2 m vf^2 + mghf = 1/2 m vi^2 + mghi

I assumed that the final hieght is zero and the initial height is 2.68m. I also assumed that the initial velocity is 0.

1/2 mvf^2 + mg0 = 1/2 m 0 + mghi
1/2 mvf^2 = 1/2 mghi
1/2 (1.4) vf^2 = (1.4)(9.81)(2.68)

i found vf^2 using kinematic equations = 52.5816 m^2/s^2

36.80712 = 36.80712

Since the final energy is 36.80712 and when it collides with the ground the energy disspates by 1/12.
So :
36.80712/12 = 3.06726

So I made the the inital energy of the first bounce.

Ei = Ef
3.06726 = 1/2mv^f + mgh
3.06726 = 0 + mgh
3.06726 = mgh
3.067/mg = h
.22333 = h

This is what I calculated the height to be but this is wrong.

I'm not sure what I'm missing or if I should be looking at it in a different way.
 
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PART 1
Potential Energy
E=mgh
E=(1.4)(9.8)(2.68)
E=36.77N
Energy Lost= 36.77/12=3.06N
Total Energy Left= 36.77-3.06=33.71N
The amount of 33.71N is being carried on to the next step.

PART 2
E=mgh
33.71=(1.4)(9.8)(h)
33.71=13.72h
h=2.45m

I am not sure that my work is correct.
 
If it loses 1/12 of it's energy KE in the collision, then it's energy after the collision is (11/12)*KE, isn't it? And while I think you are doing this essentially correctly, you could do it a lot more simply. (2.68m)*m*g=(1/2)*m*v^2=KE. After the bounce the KE is (11/12)*KE. So (x)*m*g=(11/12)*KE, where x is the rebound height. So x*mg=(11/12)*(2.68m)*mg. You don't need to know m or g.
 
Raza said:
PART 1
Potential Energy
E=mgh
E=(1.4)(9.8)(2.68)
E=36.77N
Energy Lost= 36.77/12=3.06N
Total Energy Left= 36.77-3.06=33.71N
The amount of 33.71N is being carried on to the next step.

PART 2
E=mgh
33.71=(1.4)(9.8)(h)
33.71=13.72h
h=2.45m

I am not sure that my work is correct.

Dead right. (11/12)*2.68~2.45. Now simplify the calculation.
 
Thank you. I did not subtract the dissipated energy from the original. Thanks to all that helped.
 

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