Does the temperature affect the bounce of a ball?

Answer 1

I'm not too sure about the answer myself, but I'll take a crack at it. My understanding is that temperature increases the kinetic energy of air particles (molecules) in the ball (e.g. on a hot day a balloon expands. Likewise, on a cold winter day, the balloon tends to shrink a lot quicker). When "excited" (through increase in temperature), particles tend to speed up, and bounces against the inner wall of the ball. This results in an overall increase in pressure inside the ball, which thus results in a higher bounce (e.g. a soccer ball pumped fully bounces higher than a partially deflated soccer ball).

Answer 2

It depends on the surface the ball is bouncing on. If the ground is cold, then usually it is harder than normal. When the outfield grass is warmer it's usually softer. Unless the softball is in extreme heat or extreme cold, the ball wont bounce noticeably different. The atoms will be moving slower in a colder softball than in a warmer softball, but it wont cause the ball to die or anything.

Answer 3

Well yes, if its hot the ball bounces high... so if its cold the ball is more flat.

~Answered by a Pro Tennis Player~

A warmer environment will expand the air inside an inflatable ball making it bouncier.

A warmer temperature may also make the ball surface more pliant and bouncier.

Answer 4

the ball is harder in the cold weather making it less bouncy but in warm weather the ball is less stiff and more bouncy.

Answer 5

when it is cold the bat and the Baseball get harder so the ball can not be hit as far

Answer 6

There are a few reasons why a baseball's temperature affect it's bounce. The higher the heat the faster the molecules move.

Answer 7

The heat sometimes exspands the ball because it is made of ruber

Answer 8

The warmer the temperature is, the farther the ball will travel because colder air is denser, and denser air impedes the ball's movement.