The Golf Ball Lab

The Golf Ball Lab In this lab, you will explore the relationship between the height of a golf ball before dropping it and its height after one bounce.* Materials Your group must consist of no less than three and no more than four students. You will need the following items: 1. A tape measure. 2. A golf ball. 3. Paper and pencil. Recording the Data The same person should drop the golf ball each time. The ball should be dropped from a height of 12 inches, so a second person should measure the height of the golf ball (from the bottom of the fall to the ground) BEFORE the first person drops it. A spotter should estimate (i.e. mark in the “air”) the bounce height of the golf ball on the first bounce. Repeat this process three times and then compute the average of the three bounce heights. Record this data as the average bounce height when the ball is dropped from a height of 12 inches. Next, repeat the process to the find the average bounce height when the ball is dropped from a height of 24 inches, 36 inches, 48 inches, 60 inches, and 72 inches. Record the average bounce heights as well. Analyzing the Data 1. Display your golf-ball data in a table. Be sure to set up (list the input quantities in the first column and the output quantities in the second column) and label the table appropriately. If you’re not sure how to differentiate between the input and output quantities, ask for help. 2. Let y be the average bounce height (in inches) after the ball was dropped from a height of x inches. Use a graphing calculator to make a scatter plot of the golf ball data. What basic shape would best fit the data (a line, a parabola, or some other shape)? 3. Print a copy of your scatter plot from part 2 and be sure to label it appropriately. Draw a best-fit line on the scatter plot, select two points on the best-fit line, and then find the equation of this best-fit line. 4. Find the y -intercept of your model. What does it mean in this situation? If you can find a linear model with a more realistic y -intercept, do so. 5. Use a graphing calculator to graph your model with the scatter plot of the golf-ball data in the same viewing window. Print a copy of your graph (and be sure to label it appropriately). How well does your equation model the data? 6. Use your model to estimate the bounce height for a drop height of 80 inches. 7. On a golf course, a golf ball is hit to a maximum height of 50 feet. What does your model estimate the bounce height to be after one bounce? Do you think the estimate is accurate? If not, will it be an under estimate or an over estimate? Explain. 8. Find the slope of your model. What does the slope mean in this situation? Explain. 9. Estimate the bounce height after three bounces for a drop height of 90 inches.

* Adapted from a lab written by Jim Ryan, State Center Community College District, Clovis Center, Clovis CA. Golf Ball Lab Worksheet

Drop height of 12 inches

Bounce 1 Bounce 2 Bounce 3 Average Height (inches) Height (inches) Height (inches) Bounce Height