School: Divine Academy of Excellence

Candidate number: 0065,0014

Centre number:010030

Name of candidate: Rihanna Headley & Abeni Aska

Teacher: Mr. Matthew

Territory: Antigua & Barbuda

Table of Contents

1
 Title……………………………………………………………………………3

Acknowledgement……………………………………………………………4

Purpose………………………………………………………………………5

Methods of Data

Collection……………………………………………………………………6

Presentation of

Data…………………………………………………………………………7

Analysis of

Data…………………………………………………………………………9

Conclusion…………………………………………………………………10

Bibliography………………………………………………………………11

Title
Does the surface affect the height at which a ball bounces?

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Acknowledgement

3
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to those who have supported and

contributed to the successful completion of our Mathematics School-Based Assessment

(SBA).

First and foremost, we extend our sincere appreciation to our mathematics teacher, Mr.

Matthew, for his invaluable guidance, patience, and encouragement throughout this

process. His dedication to teaching and willingness to assist us whenever needed have

been instrumental in our learning and progress.

We are also incredibly grateful to our classmates for their collaboration and support. The

discussions, study sessions, and shared insights have greatly enhanced our understanding

of the subject.

A special thank you goes to our families for their unwavering support, motivation, and

belief in our abilities. Their encouragement has inspired us to stay focused and strive for

excellence.

Additionally, we acknowledge the Divine Academy of Excellence for providing the

necessary resources and a positive learning environment that has contributed to our

academic success.

Finally, we appreciate everyone who has played a role, big or small, in helping us

complete this SBA. Your support has been truly invaluable, and we are sincerely grateful.

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Purpose
The purpose of investigating how different surfaces impact the height of a bouncing ball

is to explore the relationship between surface properties and the motion of objects. By

examining how surfaces such as concrete, grass, gravel, and wood influence a ball’s

rebound height, we can gain a deeper understanding of the factors affecting motion and

energy transfer.

This research holds significant practical value across multiple fields. In sports, knowing

how various surfaces affect bounce height can help improve training techniques and

game strategies. Additionally, manufacturers can use this information to design sports

equipment tailored to specific surfaces, enhancing both performance and safety.

Beyond its practical applications, this study also contributes to a broader understanding

of physics, particularly in mechanics and material science. By analyzing how surfaces

impact the behavior of a bouncing ball, we can gain valuable insights into energy

conservation, elasticity, and real-world motion dynamics.

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Methods of Data Collection
To examine how different surfaces affect the bounce height of a ball, we conducted a

series of controlled experiments. Various surfaces, including concrete, grass, tiles, and

hardwood, were selected, ensuring they were flat and free from irregularities. A

standardized ball was used to maintain consistency, and the ball was dropped from a

fixed height of approximately 1 meter. A vertical measuring device recorded the rebound

height, with one student releasing the ball and another observing the measurement. Each

trial was repeated three times per surface to enhance reliability while keeping variables

such as ball type, drop height, and release technique constant. The maximum bounce

heights and surface types were recorded, and the average bounce height for each surface

was calculated. Statistical methods were used to analyze the data and determine whether

variations in bounce height were significant. Control variables and observations were

documented, leading to conclusions about how different surfaces influence the bounce

height of a ball.

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Presentation of Data
Table 1.1: Data and Average Bounce Height of a Volleyball Dropped from 6 ft

Materials Area Measurement Measurement Measurement Average

Volleyball Grass 12 inches 33 inches 22 inches 22 inches

Volleyball Concrete 52 inches 50 inches 51 inches 51 inches

Volleyball Gravel 44 inches 48 inches 38 inches 43 inches

Volleyball Wood 33 inches 36 inches 40 inches 36 inches

Table 1.2: Data and Average Bounce Height of a Tennis Ball Dropped from 6 ft

Measurement Measurement Measurement

Tennis
Grass 6 inches 7 inches 7 inches 7 inches
ball

Tennis
Concrete 39 inches 38 inches 40 inches 39 inches
ball

Tennis 34.3
Gravel 26 inches 33 inches 44 inches
ball inches

Tennis Wooden 35 inches 35 inches 35 inches 35 inches

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ball surface

Graph 1.1: Average Bounce Height of Volleyball and Tennis Ball on Different Surfaces

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Analysis of Data
The data collected provides insights into how different surfaces affect the bounce height

of volleyballs and tennis balls. Across all surfaces tested, volleyballs consistently bounce

higher than tennis balls. Concrete and wooden surfaces tend to yield the highest bounce

heights for both types of balls, with volleyballs bouncing on average 51 inches on

concrete and 36 inches on wood, while tennis balls bounce on average 39 inches on

concrete and 35 inches on wood.

Grass surfaces generally produce lower bounce heights, with volleyballs averaging 22

inches and tennis balls 7 inches. Gravel yielded intermediate bounce heights, with

volleyballs averaging 43 inches and tennis balls 34.3 inches.

The results suggest that harder surfaces like concrete and wood allow for greater rebound,

resulting in higher bounce heights, whereas softer surfaces like grass produce lower

bounce heights. This information is valuable for understanding how surface properties

influence ball behaviour, with implications for sports performance, equipment design,

and playing conditions.

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Conclusion
In conclusion, our study demonstrates that surface type significantly impacts the bounce

height of volleyballs and tennis balls. Harder surfaces like concrete and wood generally

result in higher bounce heights, while softer surfaces like grass yield lower bounce

heights. This relationship is crucial for optimising sports performance and equipment

design, as well as for understanding material properties in various applications. Further

research could explore additional factors influencing bounce height, but our findings

underscore the importance of surface characteristics in determining ball behaviour.

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Bibliography
● Mathematics: A Complete Course Volume 1, with CXC Questions BY R. Toolsie

● Collins CSEC® Mathematics BY R. Johnson

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