• Question: Does the size of a ball effect how high it bounces?

    Asked by mintebuttons to Mark, Paul, Sarah on 24 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Paul Roche

      Paul Roche answered on 24 Jun 2010:

      Sort of, but there are various other factors to consider as well – how heavy is the ball, how “bouncey” is the ball, what is the density of the ball etc. The actual size (radius or diameter) of a ball will have an affect as it will determine the air resistance – the bigger the ball, the bigger the effect of air resistance will be on it.

      Small, high density rubber balls (very bouncey) can bounce much higher than say a cricket ball (small, cork and leather, not that bouncey), and much much higher than say a bowling ball (large, solid, not bouncey).

    • Photo: Mark Roberts

      Mark Roberts answered on 24 Jun 2010:

      That’s an interesting qu

      I guess partially – as bouncing actually depends on a number of things as the material that the ball is made of and the pressure inside the ball (a ‘flat football doesn’t bounce as well as a fully inflated one)

      The size will change the amount of friction in the air so will effect the bouncing with there are other factors in how springy the material is and the pressure – not to mention the surface you are bouncing it of will change the height too!

    • Photo: Sarah Bardsley

      Sarah Bardsley answered on 24 Jun 2010:

      Hmmm (stroking chin as if I have a beard….which I don’t luckily…i’m a girl). Physics was never my strong point. But here goes…..at a guess, no, it depends more on the pressurised air inside and the force of the bounce.

Comments