4.3 Recursion and Exponential Functions Ball Bounce Activity 4.3 Recursion and Exponential Functions

Introduction: Different balls bounce at different heights. What do you think the reason is behind this? How does the surface that it is bounced on make a difference? Rebound percentages

Student Instructions:   You will work in teams of three. One student drops the ball, another observes the bounce, and the third records the results. The ball is dropped from a specified height (six feet which is 72 inches). The observer must mark on the wall with his/her hand the height of the first bounce. The recorder writes down this height. Repeat this process two times, and average the height of the first bounce. Next, the ball dropper releases the ball from the average height of the previous bounce. Again, the observer finds the height of three bounces, and the recorder finds the average height of the ball’s second bounce. This process is repeated until seven average bounce heights are found. Note: Depending on the initial drop height and type of ball, it may not be possible to accurately observe seven bounces. In that case, get at least five bounces.