Describe (both quanititavely and qualitiatively) the energy changes of a ball of mass 0.5kg, dropped from a height of 10m and left to bounce. Make use of the law of conservation of energy.

At the drop height, the ball possesses 0J of Kinetic Energy (KE), and only possesses Gravitational Potential Energy(GPE). From GPE=mgh...GPE=O.5x9.91x10=49.05J. As it drops, its GPE decreases and its KE increases. At the instant the ball touches the ground, it will possess 49.05J of KE and 0J of GPE. From KE=0.5mv^2, the KE of the ball at the instant it touches the ground can be found as 14m/s.

As it travels back up, the GPE begins to increase, and KE decreases, but this time the ball does not gain the initial height is once had. This is due to the law of conservation of energy. On impact with the ground, energy is converted to heat and sound which reduces the total energy the ball possesses, thus on each bounce its energy reduces, and it can never regain its original height.

DM
Answered by David M. Physics tutor

1843 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

A train is travelling at 50m/s. How long does it take the train to reach 60m/s if it accelerates at a constant rate of 0.5m/s^2? How many kilometres does it travel in this time?


When going around a roundabout, why do I feel a force pulling me outwards?


define 1 volt


Can you explain what the flux of a light source is?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning