Elasticity

Elasticity is the tendency of solid materials to return to their original shape after being deformed

Objectives

Students will explore the physical properties of materials and their interactions with external forces.

Materials

  • Worksheet
  • Basketball
  • Soccer ball
  • Golf Ball
  • Tennis Ball
  • Tape measure
Elasticity

Academic Standards

6th Grade

Math 6.12.C The student is expected to summarize numeric data with numerical summaries, including the mean and median (measures of center) and the range and interquartile range (IQR) (measures of spread), and use these summaries to describe the center, spread, and shape of the data distribution.

Science 6.1.F The student is expected to construct appropriate tables, graphs, maps, and charts using repeated trials and means to organize data.

7th Grade

Science 7.1.F The student is expected to construct appropriate tables, graphs, maps, and charts using repeated trials and means to organize data.

8th Grade

Science 8.1.F The student is expected to construct appropriate tables, graphs, maps, and charts using repeated trials and means to organize data.

Elasticity

Discussion Questions

  • What is elasticity?
  • Which sports balls have elasticity?
    • Do different sports balls have more elasticity than others?
  • Why does elasticity matter in sports?

Reflection Questions

  • What did you learn from this experiment?
  • What would you do differently if you were to do this activity again?
  • What connections can you make between this activity and soccer?

Answer Key

Responses for average bounce height will vary based on students’ attempts.

Sample acceptable answers for worksheet questions:

  1. The ball bounces back up after hitting the ground. More elastic balls bounce higher than less elastic balls.
  2. On a hard surface, the ball bounces higher because less energy is absorbed by the surface. On a soft surface, the ball bounces lower because more energy is absorbed.
Elasticity
Elasticity

Setup

  • Gather all the sports balls needed for the activity and ensure that there are enough tape measures for the number of pairs/groups to complete the activity.

Vocabulary

Elasticity: The ability of an object or material to resume its normal shape after being stretched or compressed.

Gravity: The force by which a planet or other body draws objects toward its center.

Elasticity

Activity

  • Start the lesson by leading students in a short discussion using the questions provided or your own.
  • Show students the video below on elasticity.
  • Students will work in small groups to experimentally test the elasticity of various sports balls on two different surfaces and calculate their bounce height.
  • Drop the sports balls from a height of 5 feet (60 inches). Measure the height of the first bounce (in inches)and repeat for the other two trials.
    • Each ball will be dropped through three bounce trials.
    • Use two different surfaces, a hard surface, and another surface, to complete this activity.
  • Have students calculate the average bounce height of all the sports balls at the end of the experiment and answer the reflection questions at the bottom of the worksheet.
  • Lead students in a short discussion at the end of the lesson using the reflection questions provided or your own.

Additional Teaching Notes:

  • How to calculate average:
    • Add all the numbers together to get the sum, then divide the sum by the total count of numbers in the set.
    • Example: Sum of all the heights of all trial bounces divided by number of trials (Average = Sum ÷ 3).

Additional Activity

  • Have students discuss and experiment how different inflation levels affect the kicking distance of a soccer ball.
  • Have students predict how temperature would affect elasticity and discuss why.
  • Have the students compare soccer balls used in different tournaments. While they follow similar regulations, they’re made by different suppliers. How does this affect the ball itself?
Elasticity