Bouncing Basketballs
Question:
Do different surfaces absorb different amounts of energy from a bouncing basketball?
Our Experiment
Hypothesis:
We think the softer surfaces will absorb more energy. Therefore, we believe the basketball won't bounce as high on the softer surface.
Procedure:
- Lift the basketball to a height of 4 feet.
- Release the basketball onto each separate material 3 times.
- Measure the height the top of the basketball bounces back up to.
- Average the bounce back height for each separate surface.
- Compare and rank each separate surface by average height calculated.
Special Needs:
Gymnasium, next to wall.
Materials:
- Basketball
- Carpet
- Bubble wrap
- Cardboard
- Basketball court
- Painters tape
The Science Behind It:
When two solid objects collide, energy is transferred between the objects and the reaction from the collision results from the amount of energy transferred and absorbed.
Later on you can Add Graphs with results
Later on you can Add Graphs with results
Conclusions:
The bubble wrap, because it has a lot of air, caused the ball to bounce the lowest, and absorbed the most energy. The basketball court absorbed the least energy, and the ball bounced the highest. Harder surfaces seem to absorb less energy.
About Author 1Derek Marcus has 2 brothers and a sister. He loves watching and playing sports. He's been playing basketball for 4 years.
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About Author 2Nate Marcus has 2 older sisters. He loves playing soccer and basketball. He's been playing basketball for 4 years.
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about both of usWe both played basketball for along time. We are first cousins and we were born 7 weeks apart.
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