Coefficient of restitution of a ball question

In summary, the coefficient of restitution (COR) of a ball is a measure of its elasticity or bounciness when it collides with another object. It is calculated by dividing the outgoing velocity by the incoming velocity after a collision. The COR can be measured by dropping the ball and calculating the ratio of its bounce height to its initial drop height. Factors that can affect the COR include the ball's material and construction, the surface it bounces on, and the temperature and humidity. A perfect COR would be 1, but in reality, some energy is always lost in collisions. The COR is important in sports and industries as it impacts the performance and behavior of balls.
  • #1
Jeven
12
0
Why is the coefficient of restitution of a ball independent of the height it is dropped from?

A mathematical explanation would be best. Thank you.
 
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  • #2
I suppose is just an approximation, for deformations within some limits.
Besides, for heights larger than some limit, the ball reaches terminal speed in free fall and the collision speed does not change after that.
But some context will help.
 

Related to Coefficient of restitution of a ball question

What is the coefficient of restitution of a ball?

The coefficient of restitution (COR) of a ball is a measure of the elasticity or bounciness of the ball when it collides with another object. It is defined as the ratio of the ball's outgoing velocity to its incoming velocity after a collision.

How is the coefficient of restitution of a ball measured?

The COR of a ball can be measured by dropping the ball onto a hard surface and measuring the height of its bounce. The COR is then calculated by dividing the height of the bounce by the initial drop height. This process is repeated multiple times to get an average COR.

What factors affect the coefficient of restitution of a ball?

The COR of a ball can be affected by several factors, including the material and construction of the ball, the surface it is bouncing on, and the temperature and humidity of the environment. In general, a higher COR is associated with a more elastic ball and a harder surface.

What is a "perfect" coefficient of restitution?

A "perfect" COR would be a value of 1, meaning the ball would bounce back to its original height after a collision. However, in reality, no ball has a COR of 1 as some energy is lost in every collision.

Why is the coefficient of restitution important?

The COR is important in many sports and industries, as it affects the performance and behavior of balls. In sports like tennis or golf, a higher COR can result in longer distances and faster speeds. In industries like manufacturing, the COR is important for designing products that need to bounce or absorb energy in a specific way.

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