Bounce Height and Time

For you mathematical-physics types, here is the algebra showing how the bounce height and bounce time are related. 

Let  h1  be the height of a bounce and  t1   the time needed to drop from this height.  (The time needed to bounce from the instant it hits the floor, goes up, goes down, and hits the floor again is twice t1.)     Let  h2  be the height of the next bounce and  t2   the time needed to fall from this height.  Let  R  be the ratio of these heights (R is called the elasticity coefficient), so  h2  = R * h1.  We can easily find a general pattern relating all the heights to the first height. 

 

Next:  Bounce Height and Time, Part 2

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         copyright: Besson and Styer, Villanova University   12/22/2007  

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