Abouncing rubber ball under a motion sensor is a classic of introductory physics labs. It is often used to measure the acceleration due to gravity, and can also demonstrate conservation of energy. By observing that the ball rises to a lower height upon each bounce, posing the question “What is the main source of energy loss?” and requiring students to construct their own measured values for velocity from position data, a rich lab experience can be created that results in good student discussions of proper analysis of data and implementation of models. The payoff is student understanding that seemingly small differences in definitions can lead to very different conclusions.
References
1.
Dave
Griffith
, Introductory Physics with the Xplorer GLX Lab Manual
(PASCO scientific
, 2006
), pp. 25
–30
.2.
Derrick E.
Boucher
, “A perspective on motion sensors and free-fall
,” Am. J. Phys.
83
, 948
–951
(Nov.
2015
).3.
Warren A.
Turner
and Glenn W.
Ellis
, “The energetics of a bouncing ball
,” Phys. Teach.
37
, 496
–498
(Nov.
1999
).4.
Eric
Gettrust
, “The energetics of bouncing (revisited): A quantitative demonstration of energy conservation during bouncing
,” Phys. Teach.
44
, 428
–429
(Oct.
2006
).5.
D. A.
Winter
, Biomechanics and Motor Control of Human Movement,
4th ed. (John Wiley
, 2009
), pp. 77
–78
.© 2020 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2020
American Association of Physics Teachers
AAPT members receive access to The Physics Teacher and the American Journal of Physics as a member benefit. To learn more about this member benefit and becoming an AAPT member, visit the Joining AAPT page.