When an object hits the ground - ?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the factors that determine the amount of "bounce" an object creates when it hits the ground. Participants explore various physics principles related to this phenomenon, including the role of speed, weight, and material properties of the objects involved, as well as the characteristics of the surface they impact.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the speed and weight of the object are important factors in determining bounce.
  • Others propose that the modulus of elasticity of the materials involved plays a significant role in how much an object bounces.
  • One participant mentions the importance of the ground's hardness and the object's ability to convert kinetic energy into potential energy as critical to the bounce height.
  • Another participant introduces the concept of the coefficient of restitution as a relevant principle in understanding bounce.
  • There is a request for clarification on the initial conditions and specific terms used in the discussion, indicating some confusion among participants.
  • Some participants express a need for more detailed explanations regarding the principles involved in bouncing.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the factors influencing bounce, with no clear consensus reached on the primary determinants or the specific principles involved. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views presented.

Contextual Notes

Some terms and concepts used by participants are not clearly defined, leading to confusion about the initial conditions and the specific physics principles being referenced. The discussion includes a mix of technical terms that may require further elaboration for clarity.

the_force
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Hi everyone.

I am doing research for a technical analysis study, and I need a little help.

What determines the amount of "bounce" an objects creates when it hits the ground?

Now, this object is a perfect shape hitting a even floor, so the angle should have nothing to do with it.

Is it the speed? weight of object?

What physics/principles are in play?

Thank you for any help.
Take care!
-The Force
 
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I think you're probably not too clear about what the word "buoyancy" means:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buoyancy

"In physics, buoyancy is an upward force on an object immersed in a fluid (i.e., a liquid or a gas), enabling it to float or at least to appear lighter. Buoyancy is important for many vehicles such as boats, ships, balloons, and airships."
 
zoobyshoe said:
I think you're probably not too clear about what the word "buoyancy" means:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buoyancy

"In physics, buoyancy is an upward force on an object immersed in a fluid (i.e., a liquid or a gas), enabling it to float or at least to appear lighter. Buoyancy is important for many vehicles such as boats, ships, balloons, and airships."

EDIT - Not what I ment to say.

Can you help me out by any chance?
Thanks!
 
I'm not sure if this is the correct term, but the 'modulus of elasticity' of both objects is a primary factor. Every substance has an inherent 'bounciness' based upon its molecular structure. The impact speed and mass of both objects will make a difference as well.
 
Danger said:
I'm not sure if this is the correct term, but the 'modulus of elasticity' of both objects is a primary factor. Every substance has an inherent 'bounciness' based upon its molecular structure. The impact speed and mass of both objects will make a difference as well.

Great, thank you for that reply!

Do you know, or know a site that can explain in detail this principle? I need to know this principle and type of physics in great detail, as my research, funny enough, is based on an object hitting the ground :)

Thanks again,
-The force
 
the_force said:
What determines the amount of "bounce" an objects creates when it hits the ground?

Now, this object is a perfect shape hitting a even floor, so the angle should have nothing to do with it.
All this isn't too clear.

Do you want to know what determines how high an object will bounce after being dropped? Or is it thrown onto the floor at an angle?
 
zoobyshoe said:
All this isn't too clear.

Do you want to know what determines how high an object will bounce after being dropped? Or is it thrown onto the floor at an angle?

No, just meant that the research I am doing, the out-come can only be a movement up or down.

Sorry for being so vague, but it's kind of hard to explain. Maybe if I explain the research a little more.

Let's say you are charting something that is seemingly random, but with some predictability, you have a support for the graph and a resistance. Now, when you add volume into why the object is falling, will it cause a larger (higher bounce) when whatever you are charting hits the support line.

I need to know the principle behind why an object bounces back up when it hits a surface, and the reason for how high it goes.

Thank you all!
-The Force
 
I don't want to sound rude, but you'll really have to explain that in a lot more detail. Some of the terms that you use don't seem to make sense in the context in which you're using them. I'm sure that it's just a matter of you knowing what you want to say and expressing it in a way that's clear to you. To the rest of us, though, who have no clue what the initial conditions are, it's pretty vague.
 
Danger said:
I don't want to sound rude, but you'll really have to explain that in a lot more detail. Some of the terms that you use don't seem to make sense in the context in which you're using them. I'm sure that it's just a matter of you knowing what you want to say and expressing it in a way that's clear to you. To the rest of us, though, who have no clue what the initial conditions are, it's pretty vague.

Ok, I can understand that. Let me try again.

When a ball hits the ground and bounces up, what principle is being used? What are the physics involved?
 
  • #10
the_force said:
Hi everyone.

I am doing research for a technical analysis study, and I need a little help.

What determines the amount of "bounce" an objects creates when it hits the ground?

Now, this object is a perfect shape hitting a even floor, so the angle should have nothing to do with it.

Is it the speed? weight of object?

What physics/principles are in play?
The bounce depends on the ability of the object to convert its kinetic energy into potential 'spring' energy. It also depends on the hardness of the ground.

The amount of energy it can regain after stopping depends on the amount of potential elastic energy stored in the object when it is stopped (maximum compression). This requires a very high spring constant.

If the ground deforms on impact, energy will be lost, so maximizing bounce requires a very hard surface.

AM
 

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