Mr Hassan's Bouncing Ball & Terminal Velocity Simulation

CAM: LOCKED

LIVE

Terminal Velocity
Weight = Drag
Resultant Force = 0
a = 0

Accelerating
Weight > Drag
Speed increasing

Impact
Reaction force >> Weight

Max Height
v = 0 (instant)
a = g

Rest
Ball has stopped.
Reaction = Weight.

Physics Knowledge Base

MechanicsWhy is acceleration not zero at the top of the bounce?

This is a classic misconception. While the velocity is instantaneously zero at the very top (v = 0), the forces acting on the ball have not vanished.

The gravitational force (Weight, W = mg) acts downwards at all times. According to Newton's Second Law (F = ma), if there is a resultant force, there must be an acceleration. Therefore, a = 9.81 m s⁻² downwards, even when the ball stops for an instant.

Data LoggingWhy did the sensor miss the peak height?

This is due to the Sample Rate (or Frequency). Digital sensors take discrete readings (e.g., every 0.05s).

If the ball reaches its peak exactly between two readings, the computer never "sees" the true top. It simply draws a straight line between the reading before and the reading after. To fix this, you would need to increase the Sample Rate (Hz).

AnalysisWhy does the Displacement graph look different to the Height graph?

It depends on where we place our origin (zero point):

Height: Zero is at the floor. Up is positive. The graph looks like a series of arches (n-shapes).
Displacement (Sensor): Zero is at the sensor (top). Down is usually positive. The graph looks like a series of U-shapes.

CalculusWhat is the relationship between the three graphs?

The graphs are mathematically linked by gradients (differentiation):

Velocity is the gradient of the Displacement-Time graph (v = ds/dt). When the s-t graph is flat (top of bounce), v = 0.
Acceleration is the gradient of the Velocity-Time graph (a = dv/dt). The slope of the v-t graph is constant (straight line) because g is constant.

AnalysisWhy is the Acceleration positive then negative?

This depends on your Reference Frame:

If Down is Positive (Sensor Mode): Gravity acts down, so a ≈ +9.81. When it hits the floor, the floor pushes UP (negative direction), creating a massive negative spike in acceleration.
If Up is Positive (Height Mode): Gravity acts down (negative), so a ≈ -9.81. The floor pushes UP (positive), creating a massive positive spike.