If a table tennis ball is released from the position shown in Fig. 4.1, it rises again after the impact. During the bounce, some of the ball’s starting gravitational potential energy (GPE) is transferred away. GPE is calculated with the equation $\text{GPE} = mgh$, where $m$ is the mass of the ball, $g$ is the gravitational field strength and $h$ is the height above the bench from which the ball is released.
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Devise an experiment to find out how the height from which the ball is dropped affects the percentage of GPE lost in each bounce. In your plan, say what will be measured, state which variables will be kept constant, explain how the results will be made as accurate as possible, draw a table with column headings to show the results, and explain how the results will be used to reach a conclusion.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 6-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “Ball released from a known/measured height and rebound height measured (method)” …