How Does the Air Pressure of a Basketball Affect the Height of Its Bounce?

HOW DOES THE AIR PRESSURE OF A BASKETBALL AFFECT THE HEIGHT OF ITS BOUNCE?

Thesis: Thoughts are that the higher the air pressure the higher the bounce of the ball. I feel that the ball will bounce higher based on the more air pressure inside.

Research Question: What is the maximum height a basketball can bounce?

Introduction (thesis statement):

A well-inflated basketball dropped to the ground can bounce back in a fraction equivalent to the original height it was dropped. For instance, a basketball dropped from a height of about 20 feet is expected to bounce back up to approximately 15 feet. If the ball is allowed to continue bouncing back, the height decreases by almost a quarter of the original height, it was dropped. The research hypothesizes that the higher the air pressure, the higher the bounce of the ball. However, I feel that the ball will bounce higher based on the more air pressure inside. Connectedly, the research question seeks to answer the question, what is the maximum height a basketball can bounce?

● Main heading/ idea of paragraph #1

One significant idea to focus on during the research is the point at which the basketball will fail to bounce any higher and the point when the motion breaks down.

1. Supporting detail 1

When the energy of motion that the ball possesses decreases, the basketball no longer bounces back to its original height and starts to damage the floor or the bouncing surface ( Heuther et al. 2017 ).

2. Supporting detail 2

The amount of air pressure inside the ball determines the height at which the ball bounce into the air. 

3. Supporting detail 3

The amount of air resistance that the ball experiences affects the height at which the ball reaches in the air. Notably, at high pressure, the ball bounces higher and therefore experiences high resistance from the air. 

● Main heading/ idea of paragraph #2

Also, it is essential to consider the fact that when an inflated basketball squashes against a hard surface, the amount of air inside the ball pressurizes. 

4. Supporting detail 1

When the ball hits a hard surface, the pressure inside increases as the amount of pressure that the ball hits a surface equally assists in bouncing back the ball.

5. Supporting detail 2

The basketball may develop a tear if the rubber squashes too hard on a surface.

6. Supporting feature 3

If the air inside the basketball depressurizes, the ball may unsquash, therefore making it spring up.

● Main heading/ idea of paragraph #3

Mostly, if a basketball is shot at high speed and frequency, there are possibilities that the ball may tear apart and remain on the ground. 

7. Supporting detail 1

It is possible to get several bounces if the basketball is not affected by external forces.

8. Supporting detail 2

According to the law of Inertia, a body in motion continues to be in motion unless acted upon by external forces ( Buenker, 2018)

9. Supporting feature 3

The speed and frequency of the ball determine the height and the number of possible bounces that the ball undergoes ( Bertram & Ruina, 2012 ).

Conclusion:

In conclusion, when a well-inflated basketball hits against a surface, the ball may fail to bounce higher depending with the energy in motion of the ball, the nature of the surface the ball hits as well as the frequency applied on the ball.

References

Bertram, J. E., & Ruina, A. (2012). Multiple walking speed–frequency relations are predicted by constrained optimization.  Journal of theoretical Biology ,  209 (4), 445-453.

Buenker, R. J. (2018). Newton’s law of inertia and clock-rate proportionality: Einstein’s historic mistake.  BAOJ Physics ,  3 (1), 1-10. 

Heuther, K., Abbott, L., Cullen, L., Cullen, L., & Gaarde, A. (2017). Energy Through Motion: An Evidence-Based Exercise.