Bouncy & Sticky Balls

Although most sports balls will bounce when hitting hard surfaces, not all balls have such properties. Clay balls, for example, may either bounce or stick, depending on the consistency of clay. Some clay balls may even shatter upon contact, due to fragility.

In order to compare bouncing and sticking properties of various types of balls, consider the following graph, excerpted from Bounce, Roll, & Fly: The Science of Balls, Volume 8 from Schottenbauer Publishing.

Discussion Questions

1. What is the initial position of each ball? Write the coordinates in terms of (x, y) pairs.
2. Which ball is initially higher?
3. Which ball falls faster? Why is this the case?
4. What is the time difference between points of contact with the wood?
5. Do both balls bounce? Cite data from the graph to answer the question. What is the height of bounce?

Additional Information

Schottenbauer Publishing

Free Education Resources

Does a Ball Fall Like This? Free Video Tests of Motion

Teachers and homeschool parents can quiz their students on the motion of balls with a new series of free YouTube videos from Schottenbauer Publishing. 

• Motion Test 1: Does a Ball Fall Like This? 
• Motion Test 2: Does a Ball Bounce Like This?
• Motion Test 3: Does a Ball Fly Like This?

These videos can be watched before and after three tutorial videos, showing 24 real sport balls bouncing, rolling, and flying through the air in projectile motion.

• Sport Balls Bouncing
• Sport Balls Rolling
• Sport Balls Flying

The latter three videos correspond to the Sampler Edition of Bounce, Roll, & Fly: The Science of Balls. This and other books by M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D. are available in both English and German from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Powell's, and other internet retailers. Wholesale is available directly from CreateSpace online.

Additional Information

Schottenbauer Publishing

Free Education Resources