This velocity will change from one bounce to the next.

While the ball is not in contact with the ground, the height at time $t$ after the last bounce at $t_0$ is given by $$h(t+t_0) = v_0 t - rac12 g t^2$$ where $v_0$ is the velocity just after the bounce.

That means we can break the problem into two parts: You say you are ignoring friction of the air, but assume a partially inelastic collision. I'm happy to continue reading about it until I understand, I just don't know where to turn at this point. I know there are constants to deal with: how much the ball resists compression and how much energy is lost during the bounce, but I don't know how they are related.Ĭan anybody give me a one- or two-paragraph explanation and/or (a) formula(e) and/or point me to a resource where I can read more? (yes, I've already spent an hour or so googling it) And I'm assuming negligible loss to air resistance.) The ball isn't traveling horizontally or rotating at all. (Also, I'm only dealing with strictly vertical linear velocity and acceleration. But I don't know how to model the compression and deflection of the ball hitting the ground. I know that it experiences some compression which translates it's velocity upward again, at which point gravity is again the only force acting on it.

I fully understand the physics while the ball is rising and falling: It accelerates downward at 9.8 meters/second/second.īut once it hits the ground, I'm lost.

I'm programming an animation of a bouncing ball, and I want it to be as realistic as possible.

Principle touch bounce