Question

Considering the law of conservation of energy, we believe that a super-duper bouncy ball should keep bouncing - forever. Yet, we know that it eventually stops.

How is energy conserved or is it?

(3 points)
Responses

A. Some is converted into sound energy and escapes into the surroundings.
A. Some is converted into sound energy and escapes into the surroundings.

B. Some is converted into thermal energy and escapes into the surroundings
B. Some is converted into thermal energy and escapes into the surroundings

Neither A or B
Neither A or B

Both A and B

Answer 1

Both A and B.

Explanation: With each bounce some energy is radiated as sound and some is dissipated as thermal/internal energy (and some transferred to the floor/air). The ball’s macroscopic kinetic energy decreases, but total energy is conserved — it’s just converted into other forms.