Education Technology


Bouncing Ball

Activity Overview

In this activity, students' will create a Height-Time plot for a bouncing ball. They will examine how the ball's height changes mathematically from one bounce to the next.

Before the Activity

  • Connect the CBR™ to the calculator using the link cable
  • Run the Ranger program on the calculator
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 33 - 37 from the attached PDF file for your class
  • During the Activity

    Distribute the pages to your class.

    Follow the Activity procedures:

  • Position the CBR at shoulder-height and hold the ball 0.5 meters below it
  • Release the ball and observe the height versus time graph on the calculator screen
  • Record four complete bounce heights
  • Calculate bounce ratio as a percent
  • Compare rebound percent for different starting heights
  • Repeat the activity with other types of balls
  • After the Activity

    Students' will collect data and analyze the results.

    Review student results

  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary