Title and Abstract

 

Investigation of the effect of different surfaces on the bounciness of a tennis ball (PHYS)

        We will test if different surfaces, including but not limited to texture and the hardness of the table, affect the bounce of the ball.

        Tennis is a racket sport that can be played individually against a single opponent (singles) or between two teams of two players (doubles). Each player uses a tennis racket strung with cord to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over or around a net and into the opponent's court.

This investigation aims to test the effect of the bounce or change in elastic potential energy within a tennis ball when dropped on different surfaces.

Modern tennis balls must conform to specific criteria for size, weight, deformation, and bounce bars to be approved for regulation play. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) defines the official diameter as 6.54–6.86 cm (2.57–2.70 inches). Balls must have masses in the range 56.0–59.4 g (1.98–2.10 ounces). Yellow and white are the only colours approved by the ITF. Most balls produced are a fluorescent yellow known as "optic yellow", first introduced in 1972 following research demonstrating they were more visible on television.

        Tennis balls are filled with air and are surfaced by a uniform felt-covered rubber compound. The felt delays flow separation in the boundary layer, which reduces aerodynamic drag and gives the ball better flight properties. Often the balls will have a number on them in addition to the brand name. This helps distinguish one set of balls from another of the same brand on an adjacent court.

At least two different surfaces to bounce a basketball on, with at least one hard surface and one soft surface (For example, you could use carpet, concrete, grass, linoleum and a basketball court. The surface needs to be flat and next to a wall or other sizeable perpendicular surface.)