Potential Energy of SuperBalls  and Others Spheres                                         

Standard Superball Lab:

1.  Drop the ball from 0.40 m and measure the first and second bounce height.  Do this 2 times.  Develop a system for accurately measuring the height.  Describe here:

2.  Repeat for heights of 0.80 m, 1.20 m, 1.60 m, and 2.00 m.

3.  Find the potential energy at each drop height and bounce height.  Include this in your chart.  Remember that potential energy has the formula mass x gravitational acceleration x height.    Use the lab scales to find the mass.  It must be converted to kilograms before multiplying by 9.807 m/s² and by the height. 

4.  Calculate the % energy loss between drop and 1^st bounce height and then the % energy loss between the 1^st and 2^nd bounce height.  Is the decrease in energy a linear function? 

5.  Graph the average drop height vs bounce height data.    You must first determine which is the dependent and which is the independent variable.  Remember that the dependent variable (the responding variable) is always plotted on the y-axis and the independent variable (the one you manipulated)  on the x-axis.

6.  Draw a best fit line through the data for first bounce (use point protectors)  and another line for second bounce. Find the equations of the line for each bounce.  To do this you must find the slope and y-intercept.  How does the slope of your best fit lines relate to the energy loss?

First bounce equation of the line: _______________________

Second bounce equation of the line: _______________________

Slope vs  Energy loss:

7.  Using the information above calculate the first bounce height from drop heights of 4.832 m and 41.6 m by using your equations of the line.

4.832 m first bounce height: ______________________ 

41.6 m first bounce height: _______________________

Show work here:

Lab 2:  Variety

Instructions:  You will need to develop your own data tables and graphs for Lab 2.

8.  Repeat the data collection for heights of 0.80 m and 1.60 m in the hallway using a carpeted floor (with your superball and only one bounce).   Explain in your conclusions how this data compares with the previous data (using potential energy).

9.  Repeat the data collection for heights of 0.80 m and 1.60 m (using the classroom floor) with a tennis ball, a table tennis ball, and with a golf ball.  Only measure single bounce height.  How does this data compare?

10.  Using the ice cooler, check the single bounce heights for 0.80 m and 1.6 m for ice cold superballs (using the classroom floor).  How does this data compare?

Conclusions:   Using all the data above write several conclusions about the potential energy of bouncing balls.  Use numerical data to justify your conclusions.   Include all data, calculations, and graphs along with your conclusions.

Standard SuperBall

Lab 1