In class this week, we investigated the rebound height of a golf ball when it is dropped, and found out the average distance it came back upwards. We started off using guesstimates as to what height it reached when bounding back upwards, but then soon realized that the rebound height was much harder to get accurate data on when it was done solely from human eyesight. We then decided to use a slow-motion camera, recommended by out instructor, Mr. Pata. This then provided us with much more accurate data points.
The picture above showcases the data we collected and also the data featured in a graph, and later transferred into an equation. This date turned out to be linear, and we found out that for every one meter the ball is dropped from, its rebound height will be 0.86 m. This then shows that some of the energy originally within the golf ball is transferred from potential energy, to the surrounding area on impact, and that is why the ball only rebounds a fraction of the way it came from.