Question map
A rubber ball dropped from 24 m height loses its kinetic energy by 25%. What is the height to which it rebounds?
Explanation
When a rubber ball is dropped from a height (h), it possesses initial potential energy (PE = mgh). Upon hitting the ground, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy (KE). According to the problem, the ball loses 25% of its kinetic energy during the impact [t1, t4]. This means the ball retains 75% of its energy (0.75 * mgh) to rebound [t1, t3]. At the peak of its rebound height (h'), all remaining kinetic energy is converted back into potential energy (mgh'). By equating the remaining energy to the new potential energy (mgh' = 0.75 * mgh), the mass (m) and gravity (g) cancel out, leaving the relationship h' = 0.75 * h [t1, t6]. Given the initial height is 24 m, the rebound height is calculated as 0.75 * 24 = 18 m. The energy loss typically occurs due to inelastic deformation, heat, and sound [t1, t2].