Basketballs and Momentum

How do basketballs bounce? It’s momentum! Momentum is the motion of an object, based on its mass and speed.  If an object is moving, it has momentum.  If it isn’t moving, it doesn’t. The faster as object moves, the more momentum it has! Just imagine what happens when you pedal faster and faster on a bicycle. Momentum depends on how big something is and how fast it is moving.

Let’s learn more about momentum, using a basketball as an example!

• • The Throw: When you bounce a basketball, you give it energy with your throw. This energy also makes the ball move back upward after it hits the ground.
    
  • The Peak: As the ball rises, it slows down. This is because gravity is pulling it back down.
    
  • The Fall: Once the ball reaches its highest point, it starts to fall back to the ground. 
  • The Bounce: When the ball hits the ground again, it transfers some of its energy to the ground. The ground then pushes the ball back up, giving it new energy and sending it bouncing again. 
  • The Height of the Bounce: The harder the ball is thrown, the more energy it has. This energy makes it bounce higher.

Now try using a heavier ball! A heavier ball has more mass, which means it has more momentum.  Next, try bouncing a lighter weight ball and see what happens! 

So, the next time you play basketball, remember the power of momentum. Every bounce, every shot, and every pass are lessons in physics.