When you bounce a basketball on the floor, the ball bounces back up. Explain the forces that are involved in this action. (1 point)
• The ball pushes against the floor.
• The floor pushes on the player's hands.
When the ball hits the floor, the ball pushes down against the floor and the floor pushes back against the ball.
• The floor pushes against the ball.
Yes, you are correct! When a basketball is bounced on the floor, there are two main forces involved:
1. The ball pushing against the floor: When the ball hits the floor, it exerts a downward force on the surface of the floor. This force is a result of the ball's weight and the acceleration due to gravity. The ball compresses slightly upon contact with the floor, storing some potential energy in its structure.
2. The floor pushing against the ball: Simultaneously, the floor exerts an equal and opposite force on the ball, pushing it back upward. This is known as the normal force or reaction force, which is the force exerted by a surface to support the weight of an object resting on it. As a result, the ball rebounds or bounces back up into the air.
These two forces, the ball pushing against the floor and the floor pushing against the ball, act on each other, allowing the ball to bounce.