Why does a ball bounce?
A ball bounces because it squishes when it hits the ground, then springs back.
Pip’s answer
- A ball bounces because it squishes when it hits the ground, then springs back.
- When it lands, the bottom of the ball gets flat for a tiny moment. Squish!
- Then the ball pushes back out, like a spring, and jumps up again. Boing!
- Wow-ee, it squishes and springs back in less than a blink!
For grown-ups
When a ball hits the ground, it squashes and stores energy like a spring. It then springs back to its round shape, pushing off the ground. Some energy is lost as sound and heat, so each bounce is a little lower. Bouncier balls lose less energy.
Ask your child: Which ball do you think bounces highest: a tennis ball or a basketball?
More questions kids ask
- ➰Why does a rubber band stretch?
- 🍎Why do things fall down?
- 🛞Why do wheels roll?
- 🧲Why do magnets stick?
- 🫧Why are bubbles round?
- 🧊Why does ice melt?
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