Storing energy in a bouncing ball

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on how energy is stored in a bouncing ball during impact, specifically through the movement of polymer molecules that exert forces on each other. This process involves the transformation of kinetic energy into elastic potential energy as the ball deforms. The energy is not stored in electron orbits, as the bonds involved are electromagnetic and do not require electrons to change orbits during deformation. The stored energy is released as the ball rebounds, pushing it back into the air. Overall, the energy storage mechanism is rooted in atomic interactions rather than electronic transitions.
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As the ball's surface dents during an impact, these polymer molecules move about and begin to exert forces on one another (storing energy in the process). As the ball rebounds, these molecules release their stored energy and push the ball back into the air.

I'm not sure where this energy is stored. Is it just transformed from kinetic to potential? is it stored in the orbits of the electrons? do the electrons descend from a higher to a lower orbit when they hit the wall? if so, i don't see why.
 
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It is elastic potential energy, due to atoms pushing each other around. The bonds are electromagnetic; the electrons do not change orbits with elastic deformation.
 
ok, thanks.
 

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