Question

A superball is dropped from rest from a height of 2.0m. It bounces repeatedly from the floor, as superballs are prone to do. After each bounce the ball dissipates some energy, so eventually it comes to rest. The following pattern is observed: After the 1st bounce, the ball returns to a maximum height that is 3/4 of its initial height. After the 2nd bounce, the ball returns to a maximum height that is 3/4 of its maximum height after the 1st; After the 3rd bounce, the ball returns to a maximum height that is 3/4 of its maximum height after the second, etc. In fact, for this particular ball, the maximum height is achieved after the nth bounce is found to be 3/4 of the maximum height achieved in the previous bounce. If this pattern is repeated, how many times will the ball bounce before coming to rest, and how long the process will take? (Neglect air friction.)