What are some examples of a coefficient of restitution?

1 Answer
May 29, 2014

Golf ball, coefficient of restitution = 0.86, steel ball bearing, coefficient of restitution = 0.60.

Explanation:

Golf ball, coefficient of restitution, C = 0.86. Steel ball bearing, C = 0.60.

C = v_2/v_1
(where v_2 is the velocity immediately after the collision and v_1 is the velocity immediately before the collision).

You can also derive an expression for C in terms of a height of drop and rebound (neglecting air resistance, as usual):
C = \sqrt{\frac{h}{H}}
(H is height of drop, h is height of rebound).


For the golf ball we can collect the following data:
H = 92 cm.
h_1 = 67, h_2 = 66, h_3 = 68, h_4 = 68, h_5 = 70 (all cm)

Find the average rebound height and then calculate the coefficient of restitution.


For the ball bearing we can collect the following data:
H = 92 cm.
h_1 = 32, h_2 = 33, h_3 = 34, h_4 = 32, h_5 = 33 (all cm)

Perform the same method as for the golf ball above.