Why Does a Ball Bounce?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why does a ball bounce?

The Big Idea

A bounce is stored squash. When a ball hits the ground, it flattens a little, and the air and rubber inside push it back into a round shape. That push launches the ball upward! Rubber is stretchy, and the pressurized air gives it extra spring. But some energy turns into heat and sound each time, so every bounce is a little lower than the last.

Ball Falls

Step one: the ball falls. Gravity pulls the ball toward the floor. It speeds up as it drops.

It Squashes

Step two: it squashes. The bottom of the ball flattens as it hits the floor, and the air and rubber get squeezed. The squashed shape is loaded like a spring.

Shape Snaps Back

Step three: the shape snaps back. The rubber and air push against the floor, and the floor pushes back on the ball. The ball flies upward, though a little lower than before, because some energy turned into heat.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look inside a ball! The rubber cover is the outside skin. The inner bladder holds the air. The pressurized air pushes outward, like a spring. And that push sends the ball along its bounce path!

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Warm balls bounce higher, because the air inside pushes harder. Bowling balls barely bounce, because they are built to roll, not spring. The thud you hear is bounce energy turning into sound. And a flat ball barely bounces, because the air spring is gone!

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Drop a ball twice. Drop a ball on a hard tile floor. Then drop it on a soft rug. Which bounce is taller? Why might a soft floor steal more of the spring?

Outro

Balls show us that squashing and springing back can send energy bouncing back up. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!