How Does Air Pressure Affect The Bounce Height Of A Ball?

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1.0 Background Theory
1.1 Introduction
This investigation aims to determine the ideal air pressure inside and the ideal material of a ball in order for that ball to achieve its greatest bounce height. This report will be focusing on how the air pressure and material of a soccer ball, basketball and volleyball affects the bounce height of each ball.

1.2 Research Question
1. How does the air pressure inside a ball influence the bounce height/vertical motion of that ball?
2. How does the material of a ball affect the bounce height/vertical motion of that ball?

1.3 Theory
1.31 Air Pressure
Air pressure can be defined as the impact air has against all the surfaces the molecules of air touches, and is measured in Pascals – one Newton per square …show more content…

To investigate the relationship between the air pressure in a ball and the bounce height of that ball where the drop height (gravitational potential energy), temperature and location are kept constant.
2. To investigate the affect the material of a ball has on the bounce height of that ball where the drop height (gravitational potential energy), temperature, location, ball, and air pressure of the ball are kept constant.

1.5 Hypothesis
1. If the air pressure inside a ball is changed, then the ball with the greatest air pressure will produce the greatest bounce height. This is because having a greater air pressure means that there will be more molecules pressing and pushing against the bladder of the ball, thus, applying more force to to ball when it rebounds from the ground, and giving it a greater bounce height.
2. If the material of the ball is changed, then the ball with the most elasticity in its material, which is the basketball, will produce the greatest bounce height. This is because balls with greater elasticity in their material will lose less energy to heat and sound since it has the ability to decelerate slower due to its flexible material and thus, will transfer more kinetic energy to elastic potential energy more efficiently causing the ball to bounce

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